Buzz
On April 19, Carl Moore made an extraordinary catch while fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. His shrimp net hauled up a live Mitsukurina owstoni, commonly known as the goblin shark. "My first reaction was, 'Wow, this thing is hideous! It looks like it’s from another era,'" Moore shared with CNN. "I thought about measuring it, but when it thrashed around, I decided against it. That creature looked like it could devour me whole!"
As Moore experienced firsthand, the M. owstoni is unlike any shark you’ve ever encountered. These deep-sea dwellers can grow up to 15 feet long, with a distinct pinkish-gray hue and an elongated, flattened snout. When they hunt, they become even more terrifying than a Great White.
Typically, the M. owstoni's jaws—equipped with razor-sharp, needle-like teeth—rest flat against the underside of its head. However, when capturing prey, the shark propels its jaw forward, extending it nearly to the tip of its snout, resembling a deep-sea version of Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Gifbin
Analysis of seven specimens with identifiable stomach contents, combined with the narrow structure of its mouth, suggests that the shark primarily feeds on teleost or finned fish, squid, and crabs.
Since its initial discovery near Yokohama, Japan, in 1898, fewer than 50 goblin shark specimens have been documented. A live specimen captured in 2007 was briefly displayed at a Japanese aquarium before its demise.
Researchers estimate that M. owstoni inhabits depths ranging from 130 to 4,265 feet, making it unlikely to appear near coastal areas. However, for those curious about this elusive shark, YouTube offers a glimpse into its behavior.
