Australia: Prehistoric Goblin Shark Caught

(Baonghean.vn) - On Tuesday, March 3, a fisherman caught a goblin shark - a rare prehistoric shark species left on Earth off the coast of Australia. The shark was then brought to a museum.

The prehistoric shark appeared 125 million years ago and is considered a living fossil. Photo: AFP/Australia Museum

On Tuesday, a fisherman fishing near Eden, off the southeastern coast of Australia, caught a prehistoric goblin shark at a depth of about 200 meters. The shark's body was well preserved in a freezer before being brought to a museum in Sydney, Australia.

“The fish is quite impressive and beautiful,” said Mark McGrouther, a fish collector at the Australian Museum. “It is very difficult to catch a goblin shark and it is also very rare to see one intact,” he added. This is now the fourth goblin shark the museum has acquired.

The goblin shark, scientifically known as Mitsukurina owstoni, is a little-known species. It appeared 125 million years ago and is considered a living fossil. This fish is found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Currently, the goblin shark has been listed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Heritage (INPN).

Scientists say that the goblin shark, also known as the “Alien of the Deep,” lives in deep waters. It has a flat, pink nose, a soft body, and sharp teeth like nails. The goblin shark’s main food is usually small fish, squid, crabs, etc. And when fully grown, a goblin shark will be 3 to 4 meters long.

Chu Thanh

According to Le Monde 3/3