Aug 29, 2008

When Goblin Sharks Attack

Both Leland and Ida sent me this video. It's of the rarely seen goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni). Check out how those jaws extend Alien-style to snap at the diver's arm.

The goblin shark is so named because it is known to live in closets and under beds, where it lies in wait to scare small children. They are closely related to gremlin and gnome sharks, and are prone to causing mischief and mayhem. The green variety throws bombs and actively hunts the spider shark.

Actually, the goblin shark is a deep sea fish (growing to upwards of 3.8 meters) that hunts the oceans all over the world, though they are concentrated in the waters off the Japanese coastline. Though rarely spotted, they are not considered to be under threat. The same can't be said of the diver's arm.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

NEAT!!!!

Jenn said...

Oddly beautiful.

g3 said...

Well, that didn't help my shark phobia. The narrator referred to it as the "shape of nightmares". Right on, Japanese guy.

Anonymous said...

It's an odd looking shark with a HUGE nose. That wasn't so bad. However, it's 'throwing' of it's own jaws was just freaky. But I suppose it's nose would get in the way of dinner normally.
I am baffled by this animal.

Kasey Snow said...

Oh wow, that was really cool--I'd never seen their jaws shoot out like that, very interesting stuff!

Anonymous said...

thats what the monster zigra was based off of in the gamera film gamera vs zigra check it out!

http://godzilla.monstrous.com/zigrabio.jpg

Anonymous said...

I saw this dogfish on the television last week. It is unusual.

Anonymous said...

Hope its okay... if its a deep sea fish, should a diver be able to get that close to it without being crushed by pressure? Anywhoo cool video :D