The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is a rare and intriguing deep-sea creature, often referred to as a “living fossil” due to its ancient lineage. Recognizable by its elongated, flattened snout and highly protrusible jaws lined with sharp teeth, this shark is uniquely adapted for life in the ocean’s depths.
Typically inhabiting waters over 100 meters deep, it is found in various regions around the world, including off the coasts of Japan and Australia. The goblin shark’s unusual appearance and elusive nature make it a subject of fascination for marine biologists, offering insights into the mysteries of deep-sea ecosystems.
Appearance
The goblin shark’s appearance is what sets it apart from other sharks. It has pink-toned skin and a distinctive snout shape. It is elongated and flat with a protruding jaw and skinny, incredibly sharp teeth. These sharks usually grow to around 10-13 feet in length when mature, but it’s feasible that some specimens get much larger around 20 feet.
Goblin sharks have a flabby body and small fins, something that also contributes to their unusual appearance. They’re far slower than other sharks and have been described as “sluggish in nature.”
Their snouts are covered in ampullae of Lorenzini. These ampullae allow them to sense the electric fields produced by prey.
This shark has a long caudal fin without a ventral lobe, and a notch near the terminus. The pectoral fins are short and broad and the two dorsal fins are small, rounded, and equal in size. The pelvic and anal fins are rounded and larger than the dorsal fins.
Habitat
Goblin sharks are benthopelagic, meaning that they live and feed near the bottom of the ocean. They live around canyons, continental slopes, and depths around 100 meters or 330 feet. Some scientists, as cited in “First Record of the Goblin Shark Mitsukurina owstoni, Jordan (Family Mitsukurinidae) in the Gulf of Mexico” believe that these sharks could briefly dive far deeper, up to 1,300 meters or 4,270 feet.
These sharks have been found in the three major oceans, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian. There are records of these sharks around southern Brazil, France, Madeira, and all the way east to Senegal. Most commonly, the species is found in the upper continental slope.
Diet
These sharks are primarily interested in prey that live near the bottom of the seafloor. This includes some bony fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods, as well as some fish, like dragonfish and rattails.
Interestingly, there are also instances in which scientists have recorded these sharks feeding far above their natural habitat. Some species of squid, such as the Teuthowenia pellucida have been discovered in the stomachs of some specimens.
It’s believed, although not verified, that the goblin shark is an ambush predator. This is based on the fact that the shark is quite slow in its movements. It may drift through the water and use its jaws once prey comes within range.
Reproduction
Like other rare breeds of sharks, little is known about the goblin shark’s reproductive habits. Scientists have yet to capture or study pregnant females. Most scientists believe that these shark shares its reproductive habits with the mackerel shark. They are viviparous animals, meaning that the embryo develops inside the body of the parent. Their birth size is probably around 32 inches or 82 centimeters. Juvenile sharks are also known to stay at slightly higher depths than their adult counterparts.
Male maturity has been recorded at around 8.5 feet in length. The same male sharks have been estimated at living to be around 60 years old.
Threats
Although goblin sharks are rare, they’ve been categorized by the IUCN as “Least Concern,” meaning that they are not at threat of extinction. They are widely distributed and rarely seen by humans, two things that have allowed their population numbers to remain stable. Other conservation groups, like the New Zealand Department of Conservation, have categorized the shark as “At Risk – Naturally Uncommon.”
The shark poses few dangers to humans, mostly because it appears to be non-aggressive and lives at such vast depths. Only a few specimens have ever been captured and brought to aquariums, all of which only lived for a short period. The shark is sometimes found, as most sea creatures are, as a product of bycatch. This means that it is caught up in the nets meant for other sea creatures. However, the shark itself is not targeted by fisheries and has rarely been eaten or utilized in any way.
4 More Facts About the Goblin Shark
- The goblin shark’s jaws can extend dramatically to snatch prey with lightning speed.
- It has a unique pinkish hue due to blood vessels visible through its translucent skin.
- Its jaw extension mechanism is one of the fastest among vertebrates, resembling a slingshot.
- Despite its fearsome appearance, it is rarely seen and poses no threat to humans.
FAQs
What eats a goblin shark?
It’s unclear which predators a goblin shark is threatened by due to the relatively little scientists know about the creatures. But it’s like that blue sharks and other larger sharks eat them.
Why is it called a goblin shark?
The creature’s common name is a translation of the Japanese name “tenguzame.” The word “tengu” references a mythical creature with a long nose and a red face.
Are goblin sharks aggressive?
Goblin sharks pose no danger to humans. They feed on crustaceans, cephalopods, and some types of fish.
Where is the goblin shark found?
The goblin shark has been found around the world. It resides in all three major oceans at depths of around 330 feet. These sharks have been recorded around Brazil, France, Portugal, the Gulf of Mexico, and Senegal (among other countries and areas).
Do goblin sharks live in the Mariana Trench?
Yes, they live at great depths and have been known to roam the deep trenches, like the Mariana.
Why are goblin sharks pink?
Goblin sharks are pink because their skin is translucent. This means that the blood vessels are visible through their skin.
