# Goblin Shark (*Mitsukurina owstoni*)

> The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is a deep-sea shark with a blade-like snout and jaws that shoot forward to snatch fish and squid. Rarely seen alive, it inhabits continental slopes worldwide and is often recorded off Japan. Adults may reach 3–4 m; IUCN lists it Least Concern owing to wide distribution despite rarity in nets.

- **Category:** Fish
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Deep continental slopes worldwide; often recorded off Japan.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/goblin-shark/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Chondrichthyes
- **Order:** Lamniformes
- **Family:** Mitsukurinidae
- **Genus:** Mitsukurina

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Mitsukurina owstoni |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Deep continental slopes and seamounts |
| Lifespan | Around 30 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 200 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 15 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Slingshot jaws of the deep

The flattened snout bears ampullae of Lorenzini for sensing prey. When a fish nears, jaws protrude dramatically on ligaments — a unique feeding strike. Soft, pinkish bodies suit high-pressure, low-light slopes.

## Fish and cephalopods below 200 m

Diet includes deep-water fish, squid, and crustaceans detected in darkness more by electroreception than vision. Across its range it is tied to deep continental slopes and seamounts, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Global continental slopes

Deep slopes and seamounts worldwide; many scientific specimens come from Japanese waters, but the species is cosmopolitan in suitable depths.

## Rare bycatch, Least Concern

Seldom targeted; occasional deep-longline or trawl bycatch provides most records. Listed Least Concern because no evidence shows a concentrated decline, though deep-sea fisheries remain a watchpoint.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is it called a goblin shark?

The elongated, somewhat grotesque snout and pinkish colour reminded early scientists of goblin folklore.

### How do goblin shark jaws work?

They project forward rapidly to seize prey, then retract — specialised for sudden strikes in the dark.

### Do goblin sharks live near the surface?

Rarely — they are deep-slope animals usually well below recreational diving depths.

### Are goblin sharks dangerous to people?

Encounters with living animals are exceedingly rare; they are not a coastal threat.

### Where are goblin sharks found?

Deep continental slopes worldwide, with many records from off Japan. Native range summary: Deep continental slopes worldwide; often recorded off Japan.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/goblin-shark/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.