Skip to main content

Goblin Shark

Once again, sorry about the post delay, it's been a really hectic day! (and just goes to show that I should go back to my old method of having back-up posts ready for days like this) I'm still in a sharky mood, so today is another personal favorite of mine, the Goblin Shark.

Image from National Geographic
Goblin Sharks are extremely rare, and only about 45 have ever been caught. That is because these interesting looking fellows prefer to live on the sea floor on outer continental shelves. The average water depth of those discovered was between about 900 and 3,000 feet. Goblin Sharks have been found off the coasts of South Africa, Portugal, Australia, and a handful of other places. The first Goblin Shark ever seen was found in Japan, and the man who discovered it called the creature Tenguzame, after Tengu, a goblin-like creature of myth.

As already stated, Goblin Sharks are rare and have had very little interaction with humans. We know next to nothing about their social behavior and reproductive habits, though dietary information is available. If you couldn't tell from the photograph, Goblin Sharks have a very large, protruding snout. This snout, also known as a rostrum, is electrosensitive, and helps the shark to detect prey in their dark habitats. They sit and wait, undetected, for potential meals to swim by, notice them, and close in. In regards to other anatomical features, Goblin Sharks have undeveloped lower caudal (tail) fins, flabby bodies, and are a grayish-pink color. Scientists believe their flabbiness allows them to float at a constant level in the water without the need to move.

Goblin Sharks are the only living members of the family Mitsukurinidae. Though they can grow to over 10 feet in length, they are not dangerous to humans since they live so deep down in the water.

Comments

  1. You forgot to add the most unique and scary thing about the Goblin Shark! They have this freaky ability to 'throw' their jaws forward when biting - like dentist dentures! It looks as if another head is popping out whenever he bites! I hope I don't find any stray Goblin sharks in Memphis, TN. Thank goodness, Missisipi river isn't that deep.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i did my report on goblin sharks and did u no that 25% of there body wight is their liver...yuck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. QNC Jelly Gamat This is the most interesting information and fit into our topic. I want to share it with my friends

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bornean Orangutan

The Bornean Orangutan is one of two extant Orangutan species in the world. It is the third largest primate (after Gorillas) and is the largest primarily tree-dwelling animal in the world. Males are substantially larger than females, and average at around 165lbs. Bornean Orangutans are largely solitary. A handful might live within a small range but they will seldom interact with one another. Males and females only meet up to breed, which happens only once every several years. A young Orangutan will stay with it's mother for about five years, and the females tend to go about eight years between births. That is the longest interim period of any animal! Sadly, the Bornean Orangutans are in a lot of trouble. They need large forests in order to thrive, and deforestation and habitat degradation has left many homeless. They are also hunted for meat and for traditional medicines. Conservation areas are being established to help these guys in the wild, and it is believed that there are a

Four!

For anyone who was counting, yesterday was our birthday-- four years! Four years filled with animals from A to Z, more than 1,100 of them! I can't thank my readers enough, it's been wonderful! And in celebration of that milestone... I'm taking a break. Hopefully not forever, but for a little bit at least. In the mean time I plan on getting a new layout out, along with some updates to some of the older articles. I'll post updates here and on the Facebook page, I'm also brainstorming some new animal-related projects, so keep an eye out! Thanks again for four awesome years!

Halloween Crab

Gecarcinus quadratus The Halloween Crab goes by many names, including the Red Land Crab, Whitespot Crab, and Moon Crab. I personally like Halloween Crab though, since it really reflects the interesting colors. They have black carapaces, orange-red legs, and purple claws! Halloween Crabs live in the Pacific coast mangroves and forests of Central and South America. They actually live in the forests as adults, and return to the ocean in order to reproduce. Did you know that they live as far away as 18 miles (30km)  from water? Not where you normally think Crabs to be! While living in the forest, the Crabs forage nocturnally for different plant matter, including leaves and sapling. They also dig long burrows into the ground for protection. These burrows can measure nearly 5 ft long! Halloween Crabs are sometimes kept in captivity, and can be very tricky pets due to their excellent climbing skills. IUCN Status :  Not Listed Location :   Cent