Hobbies And Interests
Diet
The goblin shark is a carnivorous animal that feeds on other underwater creatures. The depths at which the goblin shark feeds may be more than 4,000 feet below the surface of the water. The goblin shark's diet comprises animals such as fish, cephalopods, shrimps and crustaceans.
Hunting Techniques
The goblin shark spends a great deal of time in deep underwater environments that receive very little light. This makes it difficult for underwater predators to detect their prey through sight alone. As a result, the goblin shark locates its prey with an adaptation called ampullae of Lorenzini. The ampullae of Lorenzini are pores filled with jelly, located on the shark's protruding snout. These pores enable the goblin shark to locate its prey and navigate its dark underwater habitat through electrodetection. The goblin shark also detects its prey with its acute sense of smell.
Capturing Prey
Once the goblin shark has located its prey, it uses its adapted jaw to catch the food quickly before it has a chance to escape. The tight muscles that normally hold the goblin shark's jaw shut are relaxed when the shark approaches its prey. When the jaw muscles are relaxed, the shark's jaw shoots forward in an open position. The goblin shark then catches its prey in its jaws, snaps them shut and quickly draws its food back into its mouth.
Teeth
The goblin shark's teeth allow it to capture and break down its food effectively. Long, sharp, pin-shaped teeth are located at the front of the goblin shark's jaws. The front teeth on the lower jaw are shorter than those on the shark's upper jaw. Long, pointed teeth help the goblin shark to catch and hold onto its prey effectively. Once the prey has been drawn back into the goblin shark's mouth, shorter, flatter teeth at the back of the shark's mouth are used to break it down. There are usually 26 teeth on the goblin shark's upper jaw and 24 teeth on its lower jaw.