Land-dwellers have been given a glimpse at one of the most rare and bizarre sharks lurking in the depths after fishermen trawled the seas off Taiwan.
A 800 kilogram goblin shark was brought to the surface last week in Yilan, off the north-east coast.
It’s the largest ever caught in the country’s waters, but the surprises didn’t stop there.
The female specimen was found to be heavily-pregnant, and had six pups inside her.
The specimen will be displayed at Taiwan Ocean Artistic Museum.
“The shark was almost purchased by a restaurant,” staff wrote in a Facebook post.
“After fighting for it, the Taiwan Ocean Artistic Museum bought it as a future marine education resource.”
The museum went on to explain the “rare prehistoric” species has rarely been observed by humans, calling it a “living fossil”.
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“Only two ‘Goblin sharks’ have been caught in Mexico recently,” it said.
“This species has translucent skin, pink body and evil fangs. Because the head is shaped like a goblin, it is called ‘Goblin shark.'”
The strange-looking creature is typically found near the sea floor, at depths of 1200 metres.
“In Australia it is known from off New South Wales, Tasmania and possibly from off South Australia,” Australian Museum said, adding the species is known for it’s bizarre eating happens.
“When feeding, the Goblin Shark extends its jaws forward faster than any other species of shark.”
The world’s most bizarre deep sea sharks
The species’ prey items include bony fishes, squids and crustaceans.
Goblin sharks pose no danger to humans
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