Buzz
Encountering a Mitsukurina owstoni, commonly known as the goblin shark, leaves a lasting impression. These sharks, with their elaborate jaws and pale, otherworldly appearance, evoke images of ancient creatures or beings from another realm. While not the fastest, largest, or strongest shark species, the goblin shark captivates with its enigmatic presence. Discover 12 lesser-known facts about this fascinating fish.
1. ITS NAME IS INSPIRED BY A JAPANESE LEGEND.
The goblin shark inhabits vast regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, but it is most frequently spotted near Japan. Japanese fishermen, upon catching these sharks, were struck by their elongated snouts, which resembled the mythical tengu—a red-faced, long-nosed demon from folklore. They dubbed the species tengu-zame (where zame means “shark” in Japanese). This name was later translated into English as “goblin shark,” with “elfin shark” occasionally used as an alternative.
2. IT THRIVES IN THE DEEP SEA.
Adult goblin sharks are typically found at depths ranging from 900 to 4300 feet. While juveniles may occasionally swim as shallow as 90 feet, they, like their adult counterparts, seem to favor deeper waters. With their small eyes, these sharks likely depend more on other senses to navigate the dark, deep environments they inhabit.
3. IT CAN REACH IMPRESSIVE SIZES.
Much about the goblin shark's life cycle, including its mating and reproductive habits, remains unknown. The largest documented specimen measured 12.6 feet in length and weighed 463 pounds, though there is speculation that these sharks could grow even larger.
4. THE PURPOSE OF ITS DISTINCTIVE SNOUT REMAINS A MYSTERY.
The goblin shark’s most striking feature is its elongated, flattened snout, resembling a broadsword blade when seen from above. Some theories suggest the snout helps the shark search for food in tight spaces, while others point to the ampullae of Lorenzini, a sensory system that detects electrical signals from prey. Similar to hammerhead sharks, whose wide heads accommodate more ampullae of Lorenzini pores, the goblin shark’s extended snout may have evolved to enhance its ability to sense prey.
5. IT USES A UNIQUE "SLINGSHOT FEEDING" MECHANISM TO CATCH PREY.
The goblin shark’s jaws are connected to elastic ligaments, enabling them to shoot forward when prey is near. This mechanism allows the shark to extend its mouth a distance equal to 8.6 to 9.4 percent of its body length. To put this in perspective, if a human could do the same, they could bite food placed 7 inches away. Researchers at Hokkaido University have named this remarkable feeding technique “slingshot feeding.
6. ITS JAWS MOVE TWICE AS FAST AS A NEW YORK CITY PEDESTRIAN.
While New York City pedestrians are known for their brisk pace, the goblin shark’s jaws outpace them significantly. Video evidence shows the shark can extend its jaws at a speed of 10.1 feet per second—approximately double the walking speed of New Yorkers, as measured in a 2006 study.
7. ... AND ITS MOUTH CAN OPEN EXTREMELY WIDE.
The goblin shark’s mouth can open to an astonishing 111-degree angle. Combined with its extendable jaws, this allows the shark to swiftly capture prey that would otherwise seem out of reach.
8. IT'S NOT KNOWN FOR SPEED.
The goblin shark’s unusual jaw structure likely compensates for its slow swimming. With a flabby body, small fins, and a flexible tail unsuited for quick movements, it is a slow-moving predator. The slingshot feeding mechanism may have evolved to assist this sluggish hunter in catching prey in the dark depths of the ocean.
9. IT FEEDS ON CRABS AND SQUID IN THE WILD.
In 2003, researchers in Japan analyzed the stomach contents of 121 goblin sharks caught near Tokyo and discovered they primarily consumed crustaceans, squid, and bony fish. Other studies have revealed octopuses, shrimp, and fin rays in their digestive systems.
10. THE GOBLIN SHARK IS THE LAST SURVIVING MEMBER OF ITS FAMILY.
The Mitsukurinidae family dates back to the Cretaceous period. Members of this group, including the modern goblin shark, are characterized by slender, needle-like teeth at the front of their jaws. Ancient relatives like Anomotodon novus thrived in Europe and North America approximately 47.8 to 38 million years ago, while other fossilized species were found worldwide.
The Mitsukurinidae family belongs to the Lamniformes order, which also includes the basking shark and great white. Lamniformes are distinguished by having five gill slits on each side of their bodies and typically possessing two dorsal fins.
11. THE GOBLIN SHARK’S COLOR MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.
Experts once believed goblin sharks were gray, like many other shark species. However, in 1976, a dying specimen was photographed, revealing a pink hue. Goblin sharks have semi-transparent, pigment-free skin, and due to blood vessels close to the surface, living individuals often appear whitish-pink or grayish-purple. After death, their color shifts, with the skin turning brown or gray.
12. THE GOBLIN SHARK HAS INSPIRED SEVERAL MOVIE MONSTERS.
Knifehead, a creature from Pacific Rim (2013), features a long, sharp snout that pays tribute to the goblin shark. Additionally, Charlie Henley, the VFX supervisor for 2017's Alien: Covenant, revealed that his team drew inspiration from the goblin shark while designing the “neomorph,” a white-skinned creature with extendable jaws that attacks a character mid-film.
