Scientists have captured footage of the elusive goblin shark, a rare deep-sea species, in the wild for the first time. Known as Mitsukurina owstoni, this “living fossil” is the last of its ancient lineage, dating back 125 million years. The goblin shark is distinguished by its unique jaws that can extend to catch prey and its horn-like rostrum, which is equipped with sensory organs to detect food in the dark. These sharks can grow up to 12 feet and have a ghostly white or pinkish hue. The first sighting was recorded in 2019 near Jarvis Island in the Pacific, and another in 2024 near the Tonga Trench. These discoveries highlight the importance of seamounts as habitats for marine biodiversity.
QUESTION: How might the discovery of the goblin shark in new locations influence future marine research and conservation efforts?
Rare goblin shark filmed in the wild for 1st time, study says
