Within the chondrichthyan group, we find various cartilaginous type fish. Among these are the sharks, which have undoubtedly caught our attention over time. These animals have very well developed senses, which allow them to detect, through chemical and physical mechanisms, both their prey and changes in the aquatic environment. This time on our site, we present you a file on the Goblin Shark, its characteristics, diet and habitat, among other things. Keep reading to know everything about this unique and peculiar species within the world of fish.
Origin of the Goblin Shark
What is known about the origin of the goblin shark, (Mitsukurina owstoni), is from 1898, when it was fished in the Kuroshio Current, a current in the northwestern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan. This specimen, which was captured by a fisherman, measured one and a half meters and was called Ichigo, which in Japanese means "horned shark" or "the one that protects".
Goblin Shark Features
Let's learn about the main characteristics of the goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni):
- The goblin shark belongs to the family Mitsukurinidae, and is the only living member today; it is also the only species within the genus.
- It has a lineage of more than 100 million years, so it is very old.
- Measures around 4 meters or less, with females generally being larger than males.
- This shark weighs around 200 kg.
- They have a fearsome look, particularly because of their peculiar snout, which is large and flattened, protruding from the top of the head.
- It is believed that the snout allows it to identify low-intensity electrical signals emitted by animals it feeds on.
- Its jaws are movable,allowing the shark to extend them to capture prey.
- It has a gummy look to its scales, unlike other sharks.
- The colorationof the skin is pink, this is due to the lack of pigments and the proximity of its blood vessels to the upper layers of skin tissue.
- His teeth are shaped like thin fangs.
- The dorsal fins are similar in shape and size, with rounded and small. The pecs are similar.
- The pelvic and anal fins are larger with an elongated base.
- Another particular aspect that it shares with some sharks, but not with most, is the absence of the lower lobe in the caudal fin.
Goblin Shark Habitat
Observations of the species are not very abundant, however, it is known to have a wide distribution range that covers almost the entire planet: from America and Asia to Africa, Europe and Oceania Even so, it is estimated that the presence is not uniform.
It is located on the outer continental shelves and also on the upper slopes. Does not usually move to seamounts, although it can. It generally moves between depths of 270 to 960 meters, although it can also dive as deep as 1,300 meters.
If you want to read more about Where do sharks live? Do not hesitate to consult this post that we suggest.
Goblin Shark Customs
Estimates indicate that, due to its morphology, it has a slow movement It is also believed that the greatest activity of the animal occurs in the morning and afternoon, which coincides with the movement of their prey. Because of its depths, it tends to be in dark areas, even its few movements to the surface tend to be at night, so sight is a less important senseRelies primarily on chemical senses and electrical receptors.
How do sharks sleep? Discover the answer to this question in the following article that we recommend.
Goblin Shark Feeding
The goblin shark is a carnivorous fish, which mainly uses its electricity and smell sensors to detect prey, since, eyesight is poor. The search is done in the middle of the depth levels where it is located or even on the bottom, especially trapping animals that move vertically, although it is also reported that it captures them on the seabed.
This species feeds on other fish, squid, crabs and a type of crustacean from the ostracod group. Due to their slow movements, they are not active predators like other large sharks, but slowly approach their prey which they reach almost unnoticed and then, being Nearby they use their protractile jaws, which move forward to capture and devour food, in this sense it is more of an ambush predator.
If you want to know more details about How do sharks hunt? Don't miss this post where we explain it to you.
Goblin Shark Reproduction
Until now details are unknown of the reproductive biology of the goblin shark. On the one hand, because not enough specimens have been observed in their natural environment, on the other, there are also no records of pregnant females that have allowed a study of the process. It is estimated that males sexually mature between 260 and 380 cm, while females are over 400 cm.
Like other sharks of the order lamniformes, it is quite likely that the pups develop completely inside the mother and are oviphagous, that is that is, they feed on their own egg and then, when they hatch, on other unfertilized ones. The number of offspring should be small and, as is generally the case with sharks, the parents are not characterized by providing care for the young, so once they are born they are independent
How are sharks born? Feel free to take a look at this post on our site to discover the answer.
Goblin Shark Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the goblin shark in the category of least concern In addition, its population trend is unknown. It is not usual for adult individuals to be caught with fishing nets because they are usually outside the range of the nets. However, the same does not happen with young individuals, on which there are certain reports of entanglement, which indicates that they do get to be at depths where the meshes are present.
The meat of this shark is not commercialized, but it has been indicated that its jaws are sought after by collectors, an act without a doubt improper. There are no particular actions for its conservation, but it is necessary to expand the research to learn more about the biology of this animal and to be able to establish actions in the future.
