SHARK VS SHARK

Goblin sharkvsSand tiger shark

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

LivingMitsukurina owstoni×LivingCarcharias taurus
QUICK VERDICT

Goblin shark is about 1.93× longer by these reference values.

Goblin shark uses a 6.17 m upper reference, compared with 3.2 m for Sand tiger shark. Goblin shark's weight reference is about 1.32× heavier.

01

ON THE SAME SCALE

Human. Bus. Whale.
Pick your reference.

RELATIVE LENGTH · 0–24 METERS
AGoblin sharkphoto-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ft
BSand tiger sharkreported to about 3.2 m / 10.5 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.

MeasureGoblin sharkSand tiger shark
Length referencephoto-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ftreported to about 3.2 m / 10.5 ft
Weight referencelarge specimen reported near 210 kg / 463 lbreported to about 159 kg / 350 lb
Bite forceNo dependable maximum foundUnknownNo dependable maximum foundUnknown
HabitatDeep continental slopes worldwideTemperate and subtropical coasts
DietFishes, squid and crustaceansFishes, rays, squid and crustaceans
03

WHAT THE DATA CAN SAY

Size is not the whole animal.

Length and weight

Goblin shark is represented by photo-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ft; Sand tiger shark by reported to about 3.2 m / 10.5 ft. The longest figures come from regression estimates based on photographs. Upper records vary by region and source.

Bite evidence

Goblin shark: Jaw speed and protrusion are not the same measurement as bite force. Sand tiger shark: A reliable comparable maximum was not found.

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

Its jaws shoot forward rapidly; maximum body size remains uncertain. Its protruding teeth look dramatic, but appearance alone does not reveal bite force.

04

TRACE THE CLAIMS

Sources and limits.

Goblin sharkFlorida MuseumSand tiger sharkFlorida MuseumHow we standardize comparisonsRead the methodology →