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Goblin shark

(Mitsukurina owstoni)

 

Category: Fish

 

 

Goblin sharks are a rare, deep sea species are the only extant member of the family Mitsukurinidae. With its pink skin, flabby body, small fins, and highly protrusible jaws, the goblin shark presents a unique and highly specialized example of shark anatomy – these adaptation suggest it is a slow-moving, ambush predator. They have been caught in all the world’s major oceans, indicating a worldwide distribution.

 

Data & Facts

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Chondrichthyes
Order - Lamniformes
Family - Mitsukurinidae
Genus - Mitsukurina
Species - M. owstoni

 
Did you know?
Interesting Animal Facts

The Oldest Fish in the Sea?

The Greenland Sleeper Shark, the only living species of sub-Arctic shark, is an apex predator only slightly smaller than the great white shark, with an estimated lifespan of 200 years - one of the longest-living vertebrates on the planet. While the Greenland Shark is a slow swimmer, it will eat just about anything: eels, flounders, other sharks, seals - and those are just animals who live in the water! Polar bear remains and even an entire reindeer body have been found inside these sharks! Fortunately, while there are Inuit legends of Greenland sharks attacking kayaks, there have been no reports of human predation. There have been, however many cases of people eating Greenland sharks! Their meat is highly toxic - it will produce effects in your body similar to being extremely drunk, but a fermented version that has been hung out to dry for several weeks is considered a delicacy in Iceland.

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