Goblin Shark
(Mitsukurina owstoni)
HABITAT: In the deep waters surrounding Japan and extending to western Africa
DID YOU KNOW?
– Its fearsome appearance is due to its jaw’s ability to protrude forward.
– It is a carnivore that feeds on rockfish, members of the squid family and members of the shrimp family.
– They can grow up to 3.3 metres. The largest recorded goblin shark was 4 metres!
– Its unusually large liver makes its body extremely dense, and therefore able to float easily.
– Prices for a goblin shark’s jaw can fetch up to $1,500 to $4,000 (USD).
– Even though the goblin shark is not in danger of extinction, encounters with this shark are very rare.
PHYSICAL REFERENCE: Unique among sharks, this kind is usually pink in colour with bluish fins.