Goblin Shark

The Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) has a shovel-like snout, flabby body, and a tail with a weakly developed lower lobe. It is not considered dangerous to humans.

Mature male goblins have been found to be 8.66 feet (264cm), 10.49 feet (320cm) and 12.6 feet (384cm) in total length. Mature females have been measured to be 11 feet (335cm) and 12.2 feet (372cm). Size at birth is not known but the smallest specimen found was 3.51 feet (107cm). The maximum reported length of the goblin shark is 12.6 feet (384cm). This specimen weighed 463 pounds (210kg).

The deep-water goblin shark is thought to be widely distributed. Specimens have been seen in the Atlantic off the coast of Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana, France, Madeira, Senegal, Portugal, Gulf of Guinea, and South Africa. It has also been reported in the western pacific off Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In the Indian Ocean it is found in South Africa and Mozambique. It was recently recorded in the United States near San Clemente Island off the coast of California as well as in the northern Gulf of Mexico south of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Few specimens have ever been caught making it one of the rarest species of sharks.

The goblin shark is a bottom-dwelling shark that is rarely seen at the surface or in shallow coastal waters. This species is found along the outer continental shelves, upper slopes, and off seamounts. Most specimens have been observed near continental slopes between 885 feet (270m) and 3149 feet (960m) deep. It has been found in waters up to 4265 feet (1,300m) deep and in waters as shallow as 311 feet (95m) to 449 feet (137m). Records indicate that the goblin could also be an oceanic species.