Goblin Sharks

Name: Goblin Shark
Scientific Name: Mitsukurina owstoni
Length: Near 11 feet
Weight: Close to 350 pounds

 The Goblin Shark is a very unusual shark. As you can see in the picture (above), they have a very long nose and their mouth partially curves in at the center. Although the picture shows the mouth slightly curve in the center, most come to a point. What you can't see in the picture, however, is how it catches its prey. You'd think that their noses would cause them to have a disadvantage while hunting. This maybe partially true, but their jaws actually protrude from their mouths. They have very long gums allowing them to sue their mouths in this way.

This shark lives in some of the deepest waters. They can actually submerge to depths below 600 feet. These sharks are deep-sea sharks. The deepest this shark has been caught was at 4,265 feet below the surface.


The Goblin Shark was first discovered in Japan. It was found near Tosa Bay and Toso Peninsula.
Can you imagine diving and coming face to face with this shark without knowing anything about it and before it was discovered? That would be one scary encounter. O.O


Other than it's nose as a distinguishing feature, it's mouth and it's color are also very distinguishing. These sharks are actually pink in color. Whereas, most other sharks are a shade of grey or grey-ish blue. In the picture (above) it's hard to see the color as pink. The reason Goblins are pink is because of all the blood vessels underneath their semi-transparent skin.


These sharks hunt by detecting their prey's electro-sensitivity. When they find their prey, their jaws protrude and a tongue-like muscle sucks them into the mouth.


When it comes to the Goblin Sharks' reproduction habits, there is nothing known. This is because of how deep down these sharks are submerged.''


These sharks are known to be a higher-level carnivore in their territory.


This is my knowledge of the Goblin Sharks. I hope you enjoyed reading about (and possibly staring at) this incredible (and scary looking) species of sharks.


Image courtesy of science.discovery.com