SHARK VS SHARK

Dwarf lanternsharkvsGoblin shark

Length, weight and bite evidence—plus context from a human, city bus and blue whale. Every number below carries its uncertainty with it.

LivingEtmopterus perryi×LivingMitsukurina owstoni
QUICK VERDICT

Goblin shark is about 29× longer by these reference values.

Goblin shark uses a 6.17 m upper reference, compared with 0.21 m for Dwarf lanternshark. Goblin shark's weight reference is about 1050× heavier.

01

ON THE SAME SCALE

Human. Bus. Whale.
Pick your reference.

RELATIVE LENGTH · 0–24 METERS
ADwarf lanternsharkabout 0.21 m / 8.3 in
BGoblin sharkphoto-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ft
REFAdult human1.8 m · about 80 kg

Length bars use upper comparison values and do not show body depth, tail proportion or typical adult size. A long thresher tail, for example, does not equal whale-shark body mass.

02

THE NUMBERS

Side by side.

MeasureDwarf lanternsharkGoblin shark
Length referenceabout 0.21 m / 8.3 inphoto-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ft
Weight referencerough reference about 0.2 kg / 0.4 lblarge specimen reported near 210 kg / 463 lb
Bite forceNo dependable maximum foundUnknownNo dependable maximum foundUnknown
HabitatDeep Caribbean slopesDeep continental slopes worldwide
DietSmall crustaceans and fishesFishes, squid and crustaceans
03

WHAT THE DATA CAN SAY

Size is not the whole animal.

Length and weight

Dwarf lanternshark is represented by about 0.21 m / 8.3 in; Goblin shark by photo-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ft. Tiny sample sizes make the exact maximum provisional. The longest figures come from regression estimates based on photographs.

Bite evidence

Dwarf lanternshark: No standardized maximum is available. Goblin shark: Jaw speed and protrusion are not the same measurement as bite force.

Living versus extinct

Both species are living, but record-sized individuals are rare. These upper references should not be read as normal adult size.

Ecology changes the matchup

One of the smallest known sharks also produces light. Its jaws shoot forward rapidly; maximum body size remains uncertain.

04

TRACE THE CLAIMS

Sources and limits.

Dwarf lanternsharkSmithsonian OceanGoblin sharkFlorida MuseumHow we standardize comparisonsRead the methodology →