It is usually thought that only in the Abyssal Zone, which is one of the deepest in the ocean, do the strangest creatures live. But the truth is that the richness of nature is such that even in regions like the Batial Zone where you can still perceive a little light, there are rare specimens such as the goblin shark, a species of enormous blind fish with the ability to detect electric fields.
The goblin shark is one of the strangest fish in the world and although it is called a shark, it is closer to rays than to sharks. Its body, which can reach up to 6 meters in length, has a cartilaginous consistency; in fact, it belongs to the elasmobrianchian family to which manta rays also belong.
Its coloration is not entirely clear as specimens have been observed with shades ranging from reddish to violet and pale pink, although always mixed with gray. But without a doubt the most amazing characteristic of the goblin shark, whose scientific name is Mitsukurina owstoni, is that it has an unparalleled jaw. Inside its snout, very sharp triangular teeth are grouped in different rows to capture its prey. Additionally, he has a ‘protrusible mouth’ which means he is unique in that he is able to move his jaw in and out of his head, from under his eye, to under his snout. This ability is not possessed by any other known shark and is the one that has attracted the most attention from experts who study the goblin shark.
Its head seems to be a center of surprises, since in addition to its jaw, it is also the site where a series of sensory organs are located that allow it to detect electric fields below it and at quite considerable distances.
Where does the goblin shark live?
Its location seems to spread throughout the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, where it lives in the Bathial Zone. They can normally be found at a depth of 1400 meters and very rarely rise to regions close to the ocean surface. Due to their living conditions, very little is known about the goblin shark, it is only known that they do not live in the same location for long. They are also known to feed mainly on medium-sized fish, squid and .
Regarding their reproduction, to date it has not been possible to study the male sexual organs and all the information that is known comes from the females. Research suggests that these are ovoviviparous animals, that is, they reproduce using eggs, although the embryonic development takes place inside the mother’s body. The hatching of the eggs occurs immediately after birth, or moments before it.
The goblin shark is one of the clearest examples that evolution has filled the planet with unmatched wealth that we must conserve so that balance is maintained in the balance.