Mitsukurinidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mitsukurinidae |
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| Specimen of living goblin shark | |
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| Fossil of Scapanorhynchus from the early Late Cretaceous of Lebanon | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Lamniformes |
| Family: | Mitsukurinidae D. S. Jordan, 1898 |
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The Mitsukurinidae is a special group, or family, of sharks. Today, only one type of shark from this family is still alive: the amazing goblin shark, known scientifically as Mitsukurina owstoni. This family also includes several ancient, fossil shark types that are now extinct.
The goblin shark family gets its name from Kakichi Mitsukuri. He was a scientist who helped bring the first goblin shark specimen to David Starr Jordan. Jordan was another scientist who then officially described and named this unique shark family. The goblin shark itself is named for its unusual appearance, especially its long nose, which some people think looks like the nose of a mythical goblin!
What makes the goblin shark so unique is its long, flat, beak-like snout. This snout is much longer than what you see on most other sharks. It's covered with tiny sensors called ampullae of Lorenzini. These sensors help the shark find its food by detecting the tiny electric fields that living creatures produce. When it finds prey, the goblin shark can quickly shoot its jaws forward to grab its meal. These sharks are very rare; they have only been seen about 50 times since they were first discovered in 1897.
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Discovering the Goblin Shark Family
In the world of biology, a "family" is a way to group similar living things together. The Mitsukurinidae family includes the goblin shark and its ancient relatives. Besides the living Mitsukurina genus, there are four other groups, or genera, that are only known from fossils. These include Anomotodon, Protoscapanorhynchus, Scapanorhynchus, and Woellsteinia. Some scientists even think that Scapanorhynchus might be another name for Mitsukurina.
The One Living Species: The Goblin Shark
The only member of the Mitsukurinidae family that is still alive today is the goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni. This shark is truly a marvel of the deep sea. Its unique features help it survive in its mysterious underwater home.
Where Do Goblin Sharks Live?
Goblin sharks were first found near Japan. However, we now know they live in many different parts of the world's oceans. Their homes are spread out, not all in one place. Most known goblin sharks have been found in the bays around Japan. Others have been seen off the coasts of New Zealand, southern Africa, and in the Eastern Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Deep-Sea Dwellers
These sharks are true deep-sea creatures. They live in the open ocean, from close to the surface down to incredible depths. Scientists have found them as deep as 4,265 feet (1,300 meters)! Because they are so rarely seen and found in such widespread locations, scientists believe their full range might be even larger than we currently know.
How Do Goblin Sharks Live?
Scientists think that goblin sharks are mostly solitary animals. This means they prefer to live alone, much like many other shark species. They are also thought to be most active during the morning and evening hours.
What Do Goblin Sharks Eat?
The goblin shark is a skilled hunter in the deep sea. It mainly eats fish like rattails and black dragonfish. It also enjoys cephalopods, which include creatures like squid and octopus. Sometimes, it will also eat crustaceans, such as shrimp and isopods. Its special snout and extendable jaws are perfect tools for catching these deep-sea meals.
