Goblin Shark: The 'Living Fossil'

Imagine a shark that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale, with a long, pointy nose and a mouth that can shoot forward like a rocket! This strange creature is called the Goblin Shark, and it’s not just any shark! It’s called a 'living fossil' because it has been swimming around in the oceans for over 125 million years. That’s longer than dinosaurs existed!

What Does the Goblin Shark Look Like?

The goblin shark looks different from most sharks you may have seen in books or movies. It has a long, flat snout that looks like a sword or a shovel, which makes it look kind of funny. But this nose is super important! It helps the shark find food in the deep, dark parts of the ocean where there is little light. On the end of its long snout are special sensors that can 'feel' electricity. When animals like fish or squid move around in the water, they send out tiny electrical signals. The goblin shark uses its nose to sense these signals, helping it find food even in the pitch-black waters.

The most amazing part about the goblin shark is its jaw. Unlike most sharks, the goblin shark’s jaw can shoot forward quickly to catch its prey. This is called 'snapping', and it helps the shark grab food like fish, squid, or even crabs before they can escape. When the goblin shark catches its prey, it pulls it back into its mouth and swallows it whole! This 'shark rocket jaw' is one of the coolest things about this ancient animal.

Another fun fact is that the goblin shark is pale pinkish in colour. It might look like a ghost because of its soft, pale skin. The pinkish colour comes from its blood vessels showing through its skin. Unlike the dark, tough skin of many other sharks, the goblin shark has skin that is almost see-through!

Where Does the Goblin Shark Live?

Goblin sharks live very, very deep in the ocean, way deeper than humans usually go. They can be found at depths of upto 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), so they spend most of their time in the dark, where sunlight can’t reach. These sharks prefer places like the deep sea near Japan, but they live in other parts of the world too, including the coasts of the United States and New Zealand.

Because they live so deep, it’s rare for people to see a goblin shark in person. They are often caught accidentally by fishing boats or found by researchers exploring the deep ocean. They have also been caught on cameras deep underwater, which helps scientists learn more about them.

Why Is the Goblin Shark Called a 'Living Fossil'?

The goblin shark has been around for a very long time - way before humans or even most dinosaurs. Scientists call it a 'living fossil' because it looks a lot like sharks that lived millions of years ago. These ancient sharks were very different from the sharks we see today, and the goblin shark’s body has stayed almost the same for over 125 million years! It’s like a creature from the past that somehow survived into the present, still swimming deep in the ocean.

Even though the goblin shark looks strange, it’s an important part of the ocean ecosystem. It helps keep the balance of life in the deep sea by eating other animals and keeping the population in check.

Conclusion

The goblin shark may look strange or even a little bit scary, but it’s a fascinating creature that has survived for millions of years in the dark depths of the ocean. With its unique features like it's long snout, snapping jaw, and pale colour, the goblin shark is truly a 'living fossil', a reminder of how amazing and mysterious the ocean can be.

Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll get to learn even more about this ancient shark as scientists continue to discover new things about it!