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The Goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is in fact one of the most fascinating shark species, and for several reasons:
- It is considered a «living fossil», the only extant species of the family Mitsukurinidae, with only one known genus, the Mitsukurina.
This family also included the extinct Anomotodonshark, who lived from the Early Cretaceous to the Early Oligocene.
This shark survived the K-T mass extinction, as well as the apex predators of the most dangerous seas in the History of Life on Earth.
(Just remember the deep sea predators ichthyosaurs, pliosaurs and mosasaurs, not to mention the 20 metres long Basilosaurus cetoides, an apex predator toothed whale from the Eocene period).
The Scapanorhynchusowstoniis the second known extinct shark belonging to this family, from the Aptian age of the Cretaceous period, and VERY similar in size and shape to the extant Goblin shark.
There may be a third extinct shark in this family, but only a few fossil teeth are known, and many paleontologists do not recognize this shark,Pseudoscapanorhynchus, as a separate species from Scapanorhynchusowstoni.
- The Goblin shark is a deep sea water predator of fish, squid and crustaceans and its shape is unlike any other extant shark species, including the Sawshark and the Sawfish.
Some specimen has been fished, mostly in Japan waters, with a total lenght of 4 metres. However, marine biologists believe they can grow considerably larger, possibly up to 6 or 7 metres.
- From the fossil register, Mitsukurina owstoni seems to have not evolved from the Middle Eocene, about 49,000,000 years.
It is puzzling how it may have survived for so long from some of the most feroucious marine mega-predators ever, and through an extremely severe mass extinction (the K-T).
We still know very little about the Goblin shark, although we know its existence since 1898.
We don't know how deep it can dive, if it is an active or an ambush predator, its type of reproduction (viviparous, oviparous or ovoviviparous) because we NEVER have seen a female specimen, we don't know its life span and we don't know why it has such a long and flattened snout, as well as why its jaws evolved to such strange protuberant position.
Still a puzzling mystery shark...
What else can I help you with?
Are goblin sharks mammals?
No, they are fish.
How do goblin shark talk to other goblin sharks?
Goblin sharks communicate with each other using non-verbal methods such as body language, chemical signals, and vibrations. They may also use their sense of smell to detect pheromones released by other goblin sharks in the water.
Do frilled sharks and goblin sharks still exist?
Yes. Near the coast of Japan they have found some.
What do goblin sharks look like?
Goblin sharks tend to be big nosedHere is a link that will take you to a picture of a goblin shark: http://www.flickr.com/photos/segana/210494689/Goblin sharks (Mitsukurina owstoni) are one of the most weird shark species, along with the Megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) and other strange deep sea sharks, most probably many others still unknown to marine science.Its very long snout and the strange protuberant jaws are typical of long ago extinct shark species from the Cretaceous period.The Goblin shark is considered a «living fossil».I would advise you to search in the internet for pictures, and judge for yourself...
Can you name 8 types of sharks?
megalodon sharks, great white sharks, frilled sharks, thresher sharks, tiger sharks, sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, bull sharks, whale sharks, basking sharks, lepord sharks,black tip sharks. there is 12.
Do goblin shark lay eggs?
I won t to now where goblin sharks lay they eggs . Are goblin sharks exdinced and they males hard to find
How do goblin sharks adapt to their environment?
The Goblin Shark has a retractable jaw
Do goblin sharks swim in schools?
no
Are goblin sharks mammals?
No, they are fish.
What is a goblin sharks enemie?
We are an enemy of them and everything bigger than them!
Are goblin sharks poisonous?
No. Sharks do not have poison glands anywhere on their bodies.
Are goblin sharks exctinct?
no but there extremely rare
How do goblin shark talk to other goblin sharks?
Goblin sharks communicate with each other using non-verbal methods such as body language, chemical signals, and vibrations. They may also use their sense of smell to detect pheromones released by other goblin sharks in the water.
What r goblin sharks reproduction?
Scientists have yet to capture a pregnant Goblin Shark. Hypothetically, Goblin Sharks reproduce the same way other sharks. It is said that Goblin Sharks fertilize eggs in the female shark. The female then carries the eggs until they are hatched when she then delivers live baby sharks. This is called ovoviviparous. Scientists believe that pregnant female sharks typically go to the coasts of Honshu to deliver their young. Honshu is an island of Japan.
Do Goblin sharks eat Tiger sharks?
Nope. Goblin sharks and Tiger sharks shouldn't come into contact with one another because the goblin resides in deep cold waters as the tiger prefers warm tropical waters such as Hawaii coastal waters.
What are the goblin sharks prey?
An Orca, which is a Killer Whale!
How fast can goblin sharks swim?
very fast
