Overview
The goblin shark is one of the strangest sharks in the ocean. It has soft, pinkish skin, a long flat snout that sticks out like a blade, and a jaw that can spring forward in a flash. It is the only surviving member of a shark family that goes back over 100 million years.
Because it lives so deep, people almost never see a goblin shark alive. Most are caught by accident in deep nets, and its pale pink color and odd shape make it look like something invented for a movie rather than a real animal.
| Where it lives | Deep waters near continental slopes and undersea canyons |
| Range | Scattered across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans |
| Adult size | About 10 to 13 ft (3 to 4 m) long |
| Diet | Fish, squid, and crabs |
| Lifespan | Not well known |
| Depth or habitat | Usually below about 890 ft (270 m), sometimes far deeper |
| Keep at home? | No, it lives in the crushing deep sea |
Its weirdest feature
The goblin shark's jaws are attached by stretchy bands of tissue, so it can fling them forward far from its face to grab prey, then pull them back in. This slingshot bite is one of the fastest jaw movements of any shark.
Surviving the dark deep
Its long snout is covered with tiny jelly-filled pores that sense the faint electricity given off by other animals. In the pitch-black deep, this lets the goblin shark find hidden prey without needing to see it at all.
How it hunts
The goblin shark is a slow, sluggish swimmer, so instead of chasing food it likely drifts close and then ambushes. When prey is near, it launches its jaws outward with a sudden snap to trap fish, squid, and crabs.
Life in the deep sea
This shark lives in cold, dark water along steep undersea slopes and canyons, usually hundreds of feet down. Its soft body and flabby muscles fit a life of drifting and saving energy where food is hard to find.
An amazing fact
The goblin shark's pink color is not paint. Its skin is see-through enough that the red blood underneath shows through, which is why it looks rosy while it is alive.
Fun facts
- It can shoot its jaws forward like a slingshot to catch prey.
- Its pink color comes from blood showing through see-through skin.
- Its long snout senses the tiny electric fields of hidden animals.
- It is the only living member of a shark family over 100 million years old.
- It is a slow swimmer that ambushes prey instead of chasing it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the goblin shark pink?
Its skin is thin and slightly see-through, so the blood underneath shows through and makes it look pink while alive.
How does its jaw work?
Its jaws are held on by stretchy tissue, so it can shoot them far forward to grab prey, then reel them back into its mouth.
Is it a threat to swimmers?
No. It lives deep down and almost never comes anywhere near people.
Can it live in an aquarium?
No. It needs the cold, high-pressure deep sea and does not survive being brought to the surface.
