In an unexpected twist of fate, commercial anglers made headlines within scientific circles when they reeled in a colossal and exceedingly rare “goblin shark” weighing nearly 2,000 pounds while trawling for fish off the coast of Taiwan.
Dubbed a “living fossil” by representatives of the Taiwan Ocean Artistic Museum, who recently acquired this impressive catch, the goblin shark belongs to the prehistoric shark family and possesses distinct features that set it apart. “With its translucent skin, pink body, and menacing fangs, it is truly an extraordinary species,” the museum revealed to Jam Press.
Reportedly captured by an Australian trawler off Su’ao Township, approximately 45 miles southeast of Taipei, the eerie-looking goblin shark, also known as the “devil shark,” derives its name from its distinctive attributes: rows of serrated teeth, a translucent gray-pink complexion, and a prominent snout. Astonishing images of this latest find were shared on the Taiwan museum’s Facebook page, captivating viewers with its nightmarish appearance.
Despite its frightful facade, the goblin shark poses no threat to humans. Instead, it prowls the depths of the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans, preying on squid and other creatures in its habitat, which can reach depths of up to 4,000 feet below the surface, as reported by National Geographic.
Measuring an impressive 15.4 feet in length and weighing approximately 1,763 pounds, this particular denizen of the deep holds the distinction of being the largest goblin shark ever caught off the coast of Taiwan. Its immense size necessitated the use of a forklift to transport it and load it onto a flatbed truck, as captured in a mesmerizing video.
Regrettably, this formidable creature was not the only shark inadvertently ensnared by the trawler’s nets. Much to the dismay of shark enthusiasts, the specimen in question was pregnant with six pups, each weighing around 8 pounds and measuring 4 feet in length. These unborn pups displayed fully formed teeth, indicating that they were on the cusp of entering the world. Goblin sharks develop within eggs and hatch inside their mother’s womb.
Fortunately, the public is now aware of this remarkable discovery. The museum revealed that there was a close call, as a restaurant almost purchased the carcass with the intention of selling it as food. However, the Taiwan Ocean Artistic Museum intervened, obtaining the shark and vowing to study this enigmatic bottom-dweller before putting it on display in the near future.
Sadly, due to the goblin shark’s elusive nature, scientific knowledge about this species remains scarce. Yet, with this extraordinary find, researchers have been granted a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of this mysterious creature from the depths, unveiling its secrets for all to behold.
