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Table of Contents
The Goblin Shark is a rare species in the family Mitsukurinidae (order Lamniformes) that lives at the bottom of the ocean along continental shelves. They’re named after mythical goblins from Japanese folklore and can be found mainly off the coast of Japan.
See the fact file below for more information on Goblin Sharks, or you can download our 29-page Goblin Shark worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
TAXONOMY
- In an 1898 issue of Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, American ichthyologist David Starr Jordan described the Goblin shark as a new species, as well as a new genus and family. He based his account on a 107 cm (42 in) long immature male caught in Sagami Bay near Yokohama, Japan.
- Alan Owston, a shipmaster and naturalist, had obtained the sample and given it to Professor Kakichi Mitsukuri at the University of Tokyo before bringing it to Jordan. Jordan decided to name the shark Mitsukurina owstoni after these two men.
- Keigo Mitsukuri, a Japanese zoologist who studied at University College London in the 1860s, inspired the common name. The name honors Alan Owston, an English collector of Asian wildlife. The common name “goblin shark” is a play on words of its traditional Japanese name, tenguzame, which means “goblin shark.” A tengu being a Japanese mythical creature with a long nose and a red face. This species is also known as the elfin shark.
- Several scientists noticed similarities between Mitsukurina and the extinct Mesozoic shark Scapanorhynchus soon after Jordan’s description was published. For a long time, Mitsukurina was considered a junior synonym of Scapanorhynchus. The fossils that were eventually discovered revealed several anatomical differences between Mitsukurina and Scapanorhynchus, prompting modern authors to reclassify them as separate organisms. From 1904 to 1937, several Goblin shark samples were described as separate species, none of which are now accepted as valid. During preservation, the jaws of the specimens were fixed at varying degrees of protrusion, resulting in an appearance of proportional distinctions between the heads.
ANATOMY AND CHARACTERISTICS
- The snout of the Goblin shark is long and flat, resembling a blade. With age, the proportional length of the snout decreases. Spiracles are found behind the eyes, which are small and lack protective nictitating membranes. The large mouth is shaped like a parabolic sphere. The jaws are very protrusive and can almost reach the tip of the snout, though they are usually held flush against the underside of the head. It has 35-53 upper teeth and 31-62 lower teeth.
- The teeth in the jaws’ main part are narrow and long, especially near the symphysis (jaw midpoint), and finely grooved lengthwise. For crushing, the back teeth near the corners of the jaw are short and flattened. Individual differences in tooth length and width occur, as does the presence of a smaller cusplet on each side of the main cusp and the presence of toothless gaps at the symphysis or between the primary and rear teeth. The gill slits are all short, with the gill filaments inside partially exposed; the fifth pair is located above the origin of the pectoral fins.
- The physique is skinny and flaccid. The two dorsal fins are both small and rounded in size and shape. The pectoral fins are small and round as well. The pelvic and anal fins are larger and have more elongated bases than the dorsal fins. The caudal peduncle is flattened from one side to the other and does not have keels or notches.
- The asymmetric caudal fin has a long upper lobe with a shallow ventral notch near the tip and an indistinct lower lobe. The rough texture of the soft, semi-translucent skin is caused by a covering of dermal denticles, each of which is shaped like a short upright spine with lengthwise ridges.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
- The Goblin shark has been caught in all three major oceans, indicating its widespread global distribution. It has been observed in the Atlantic Ocean from the northern Gulf of Mexico to Suriname, French Guiana, and southern Brazil in the west to France, Portugal, Madeira, and Senegal in the east. It’s also been found on Mid-Atlantic Ridge seamounts. It has been discovered off the coasts of South Africa, Mozambique, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific and Oceania. This species has been found from the East Cape to Kaikura Canyon, as well as the Challenger Plateau near New Zealand. A single eastern Pacific specimen has been collected off the coast of southern California.
- This species is most commonly found at depths of 270-960 m along the upper continental slope (890–3,150 ft). It has been caught as deep as 1,300 m (4,300 ft), and a tooth has been discovered lodged in an undersea cable at a depth of 1,370 m. (4,490 ft). Adults live in deeper waters than the young. Juvenile goblin sharks can be found in submarine canyons off the coast of southern Japan at depths ranging from 100 to 350 meters (330 to 1,150 feet).
BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
There have only been a few sightings of live Goblin sharks. Their anatomy implies a physically inactive lifestyle. It has a reduced and poorly calcified skeleton, underdeveloped muscle blocks along its sides (myomeres), and soft and small fins. A typical slow-swimming shark also has a long caudal fin held at a low angle. The long snout appears to have a sensory function, as it is covered in Lorenzini ampullae, which can detect weak electric fields produced by other animals. Because of its softness, the snout is unlikely to be used for stirring up prey from the bottom, as has been suggested.
Feeding
- The Goblin shark primarily feeds on teleost fishes such as rattails and dragonfish. It also eats cephalopods and crustaceans, such as decapods and isopods. Some specimens’ stomachs have been found to contain garbage. Its known prey includes bottom-dwelling species like the blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) and midwater species like the squid Teuthowenia pellucida and the ostracod Macrocypridina castanea rotunda. As a result, the goblin shark seems to scavenge for food near and far above the seafloor.
- Goblin sharks may be ambush predator because it is not a quick swimmer. Its low-density flesh and huge oily liver make it neutrally buoyant, enabling it to drift toward its prey with minimal motions to avoid detection. Once in range, the shark’s specialized jaws can pop forward to capture it. When the shark attacks, the ligaments remove their tension and “force” the jaws forward. Simultaneously, the well-developed basihyal (analogous to a tongue) on the mouth floor drops, expanding the oral cavity and sucking in the prey and water.
Life History
Little is known about goblin shark reproduction because a pregnant female goblin shark has yet to be discovered and studied. It is most likely viviparous, with small litter sizes and embryos that develop during fertilization by eating undeveloped eggs (oophagy). The birth size is most likely near 82 cm (32 in), the smallest known specimen’s length. Males become sexually mature at about 2.6 m (8.5 ft), whereas female maturation size is unspecified. There is no data available on growth and aging. Based on their research and prior findings, some researchers estimate that male goblin sharks mature at around 16 years old and can live up to 60 years.
HUMAN INTERACTION
- The Goblin shark’s first known findings were published in 1910, with the researcher writing that “the new shark is certainly uncommon” and that “the most striking characteristic is the intriguingly elongated nose.” Provided the depths at which it exists, the Goblin shark raises little threat to humans.
- A few specimens have been obtained alive and managed to bring to public aquariums, but they only lived for a short time. One was housed at Tokai University for one week, while another was housed at Tokyo Sea Life Park for two days. It has little economic significance; the meat can be dried and salted, but collectors prize the jaws. It was once used for liver oil and fertilizer by the Japanese.
- Goblin shark is not prioritized by any fisheries, but it is frequently found as bycatch in bottom fishing nets and trawls, latched on longlines, or entrapped in fishing gear. Most captures are isolated cases; one of the few locations where it is caught regularly is off the coast of southern Japan, where approximately 30 sharks (mostly juveniles) are taken annually. A black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) fishery off the coast of Madeira takes two or three goblin sharks each year. More than a hundred goblin sharks were caught off the coast of northwestern Taiwan in April 2003; the reason for the incident was unidentified, but observers noted that it was preceded by a massive earthquake. The species had never been noted in the area before, and it has never been discovered in such large numbers since.
- Goblin shark is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Aside from its wide range, the majority of its population is assumed to live in areas far from fishing activity because few adults are captured. As a result, it is not thought to be intimidated by human activity. However, using the New Zealand Threat Classification System, the New Zealand Department of Conservation labeled the goblin shark as “At Risk – Naturally Uncommon” with the qualifiers “Data Poor” and “Secure Overseas” in June 2018.
Goblin Shark Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Goblin Sharks across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Goblin Sharks. The Goblin shark is a rare species in the family Mitsukurinidae (order Lamniformes) that lives at the bottom of the ocean along continental shelves. They’re named after mythical goblins from Japanese folklore and can be found mainly off the coast of Japan.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Goblin Shark Facts
- These Are The Parts Of Me
- Home Is Where The Sharks’ At
- Be Out Fishin’
- Order Is On Me
- A Shark’s Tale
- Meet My Look-alike
- Tic-Shark-Toe
- Just Give Me A Reason
- A Shark Clip
- Exit Slip: 1,2,3
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a goblin shark?
A goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is a rare and unusual deep-sea shark known for its protruding snout, flattened head, and long, protrusible jaws. It’s also called a “living fossil” because it belongs to a primitive family of sharks that dates back over 125 million years.
Where are goblin sharks found?
Goblin sharks are found in deep waters around the world, typically at depths of 300 to 1,200 meters (1,000 to 4,000 feet). They have been reported in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, but they are most commonly found in the waters around Japan.
How big do goblin sharks get?
Goblin sharks are typically around 3 meters (10 feet) in length, although some individuals have been reported up to 4 meters (13 feet). They can weigh up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds).
What do goblin sharks eat?
Goblin sharks are opportunistic feeders that primarily eat deep-sea fish and squid. Their long, protrusible jaws allow them to extend their reach and grab prey that may be hiding in crevices or burrows on the seafloor.
Why are goblin sharks so rare?
Goblin sharks are rare because they live in deep waters that are difficult to access and study. They are also slow-growing and have low reproductive rates, which makes them vulnerable to overfishing and other threats. Additionally, their unusual appearance and behavior make them a subject of fascination for researchers and the general public, but also means that they are often caught accidentally as bycatch in commercial fishing operations.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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