GOBLIN SHARK

Mitsukurina owstoni

The Goblin Shark is a rare deep-sea fish. They have rarely been seen and not much is known about this species. Most specimens are unintentionally caught by deep sea trawling and few have been seen alive. The shark lives near continental slopes and mountains at depths of around 300 Ft (100 M) deep, off the coasts of Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceana and the Americas. The Shark grows to be 13 Ft (4 M) long and has a long, pointed nose, hence the name “Goblin Shark.” The nose is covered in hundreds of small pores called Ampullae of Lorenzini. These are used to detect electromagnetic fields in the water. This is extremely important in a place where there is such little food. The shark’s jaws are built in such a way that they can fly out of the shark’s mouth. When closed, muscles surrounding the jaw are tightened. When opened, the tension releases allowing the jaws to catapult forward, making it easier for the needle-like teeth to grab prey.