Goblin Shark

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.