(Web Desk) - A rare glimpse of the ‘world’s ugliest shark’ has surfaced, capturing global attention.
The deep-sea creature, known as the Goblin shark, was recently recorded on video by scientists exploring the ocean depths. The shark is often referred to as a living fossil, as it has existed on Earth for approximately 125 million years.
Researchers say the unusual-looking shark, characterised by its elongated snout and protruding jaws, was filmed previously near Jarvis Island in 2019 and later in the Tonga Trench in 2024.
Findings about the species were recently published in the Journal of Fish Biology, shedding new light on its behaviour and habitat.
Scientists explain that under normal conditions, the Goblin shark keeps its jaws retracted. However, during hunting, it can rapidly extend its jaws forward with remarkable speed to capture prey.
The shark has a greyish body and a distinctive long snout resembling a bird’s beak, giving it a striking appearance often compared to fictional creatures from horror films.
According to researchers, the species lives at extreme depths of more than 2,000 metres (around 6,500 feet), making it extremely difficult to study in its natural environment.