Can you imagine a shark whose jaw can spring forward like a toy catapult? Meet the goblin shark which is a deep sea shark that has a long snout and pinkish skin. This sea creature is a rare and magnificent part of the ocean. Learning about the Goblin shark will teach you about how wonderful and mysterious the ocean is and why we need to protect it!
What Makes the Goblin Shark Unique?
The Goblin Shark is a deep sea creature; its scientific name is Mitsukurina Owstoni. The shark gets its name from the Japanese translation of the word “Tenguzame”. “Tengu” refers to a mythical creature with a long nose and a red face. According to research the lineage of this sea creature is 125 million years old and that is why it’s referred to as a “living fossil”. Humans have not interacted or collected much data on this deep sea creature, because it lives in the bottom of the ocean along continental shelves that still need to be scientifically discovered.
Goblin Shark Appearance & Body Features
The goblin shark has:
- A slender and soft body
- Small fins and denticles (tiny spines)
- Colours of the shark range from pinkish gray to pale tones
- A narrow snout that helps detect electric fields from prey in the dark
- Small eyes and their vision is less useful deep down in the ocean as electroreception is more important in deep water
- Can grow 12 feet long and weigh up to 460 pounds, according to National Geographic
Goblin Sharks Jaw Mechanics & Feeding
The Goblin shark has a spring-loaded jaw trick where the shark can launch its jaw outward (forward) to snatch prey. The mechanism works in a way that elastic ligaments store tension and release to “catapult” the jaw. The lower jaw swings upward, the upper jaw pushes forward. The teeth design is basically long, narrow, needlelike in front for gripping soft prey; smaller teeth behind for crushing or holding.
What Do Goblin Sharks Eat in the Deep Ocean?
These sea sharks have diet of deep-sea fish and creatures like:
- Rattails
- Dragonfish
- Cephalopods (squid)
- Crustaceans
Where Have Goblin Sharks Been Found?
Goblin Shark are found in:
- Deep waters
- Upper continental slopes
- Submarine canyons
- Seamounts
Their typical depth range: from 270 m down to 1,300 m or more. Some sightings have been reported at 2,000 m.
Geographic Distribution of Goblin Sharks
These sea creatures are global but sparse in number, they are found in:
- Atlantic Ocean
- Pacific Ocean
- Indian Ocean
In regions of:
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Southern Africa
- Atlantic coasts (e.g. Gulf of Mexico, Europe)
Growth & Lifespan of The Goblin Shark
What we know about this shark is limited and so its reproduction and aging has not been observed directly by scientists. According to estimates, this deep sea creature lives for many years.
Myths & Misconceptions of The Goblin Sharks
People often ask, “Are goblin sharks dangerous to humans.?” The answer is no, this deep sea creature lives at the bottom of the ocean and does not interact much with humans so there are no fatal attacks ever recorded. A myth that is spread about this shark is that they are aggressive monsters, but actually they are rather considered to be slow and quiet creatures which have not been observed alive in nature (but studied from specimens that were caught).
It is important to note about all sea creatures that the ocean is their home and we need to treat it with respect and distance, never assume anything about any exotic creature without learning about them like:
- Silverback Gorillas
- Poison Dart Frogs
- Walking Stick Bugs
Fun Facts About Goblin Sharks
Here are some fun facts about Goblin Sharks:
- Did you know that the scientific name Mitsukurina Owstoni honors two scientists?
- Specimens of Goblin Sharks have been found in odd places like the Gulf of Mexico, off Florida, etc.
- The jaws of Goblin sharks are specialized to rapidly extend and quickly snap up small prey!
Conclusion
Now you understand that the ocean holds many secrets and magnificent creatures like the Goblin shark that are cool enough to adapt to a life in darkness. It’s very important to learn about different things in life like the deep sea and space because one day you might be able to contribute to scientific discoveries!