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Sea SharksGoblin Shark
Goblin Shark
Common Name: Goblin Shark
Scientific Name: Mitsukurina owstoni
Introduction
The
goblin shark has a long, flat snout overhanging
its mouth, which may help it to detect prey in deep, dark
water. Up to 3.85 metres long, its body is flabby and soft,
and of about the same density as water. Its jaws are seen
protruding here, but they are retracted when the shark is
not feeding. Goblin sharks are found around
the world, but they are rare and only a few specimens have
been found in New Zealand waters
Goblin
Sharks are very peculiar looking and very rarely
seen. Its snout is very pointed, flat and long. According
to scientists, they may contain electro senses which helps
it to find prey. Its body is pale pinkish-gray and it's very
light colored on its belly. It also has very rounded fins,
a mouth behind its eyes and no nictitating eyelids. The Goblin
Shark's mouth can project out when it is catching
food under its eye.
Size
This
creature is 11 feet which is 3.3 miles long. It isn't dangerous
to people in any way because it is rarely ever seen. Only
36 Goblin Sharks have been captured since
1898! The largest one weighed 466 pounds and was about 12
and a half feet long.
Location or Region Found
This
rare shark is located in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Maderia
and Portugal to the Gulf of Biscay. Other places it is found
are in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Senegal, the Gulf
of Guinea, the Cape of Good Hope, French Guiana, the western
Indian Ocean off the coast of South Africa, western Pacific
waters near Japan and Australia.
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