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.
Undersea Conversations…
While it isn’t obvious, fish have ears, and are able to communicate to one another through sounds. They don’t have vocal chords, but instead vibrate their swim bladders, producing popping, grunting, moaning, barking, or chirping noises. While some species of fish, like the goldfish, are silent listeners, there are over 1000 species that are known to vocalize, and some, like the gurnard who are veritable chatterboxes. While we can’t have a conversation with them - at least not yet - it is theorized that they do it to attract mates, frighten away predators or competitors, to synchronize mating, call for help and warn others, or to orient themselves.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
