The goblin shark, a “living fossil,” is not extinct. This rare deep-sea shark inhabits the ocean’s depths, its elusive nature contributing to its mysterious reputation. Its unique appearance fascinates scientists and the public.
Unveiling the Goblin Shark
The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) has distinct physical characteristics. Its most notable feature is a long, flattened snout, or rostrum, protruding from its head. This rostrum is covered with specialized sensory organs called ampullae of Lorenzini, which help the shark detect the faint electrical fields of prey in the deep sea.
Another remarkable characteristic is its highly protrusible jaw. When feeding, the goblin shark can extend its entire jaw forward, almost to its snout tip, rapidly. This “slingshot” feeding mechanism, with rows of sharp, nail-like teeth, allows it to quickly snatch prey. Its skin is typically pinkish-gray, appearing pink due to transparent skin revealing blood vessels.
The Myth of Extinction Debunked
The misconception of the goblin shark’s extinction arises from its extreme rarity and the challenges of deep ocean exploration. These sharks live in depths beyond human reach, making direct observation difficult. However, scientific evidence from accidental captures and occasional sightings confirms their existence.
Recent instances, such as a goblin shark caught in the Gulf of Mexico in 2014 and a pregnant female with six pups trawled off Taiwan in 2023, demonstrate their presence across ocean basins. Scientists gather information on these elusive deep-sea creatures through accidental bycatch, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and submersibles. These tools allow researchers to study deep-sea environments and their inhabitants without bringing them to the surface, where pressure changes are lethal.
Life in the Abyss
Goblin sharks are benthopelagic, inhabiting both the water column and seafloor, along upper continental slopes, submarine canyons, and seamounts. They are found globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Adults typically reside at greater depths, ranging from 270 to 960 meters, with sightings as deep as 2,000 meters.
These sharks are considered sluggish swimmers, conserving energy in the food-scarce deep sea. Their hunting strategy likely involves ambushing prey, using their electro-sensitive rostrum to detect fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Once prey is detected, the goblin shark rapidly projects its jaws forward to capture it.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assesses the goblin shark as “Least Concern.” This classification, despite its rarity, reflects its wide distribution and low human interaction or capture. While direct population assessments are challenging due to their deep-sea habitat, the species is not significantly threatened by human activities.