SHARK VS SHARK

Goblin sharkvsBluntnose sixgill

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×LivingHexanchus griseus
QUICK VERDICT

Goblin shark is about 1.29× longer by these reference values.

Goblin shark uses a 6.17 m upper reference, compared with 4.8 m for Bluntnose sixgill. Bluntnose sixgill's weight reference is about 2.8× 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
BBluntnose sixgillreported to 4.8 m / 15.8 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 sharkBluntnose sixgill
Length referencephoto-based estimates to 5.4–6.17 m / 18–20 ftreported to 4.8 m / 15.8 ft
Weight referencelarge specimen reported near 210 kg / 463 lbpublished to 590 kg / 1,300 lb
Bite forceNo dependable maximum foundUnknownNo dependable maximum foundUnknown
HabitatDeep continental slopes worldwideDeep temperate and tropical waters
DietFishes, squid and crustaceansFishes, rays, seals and carrion
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; Bluntnose sixgill by reported to 4.8 m / 15.8 ft. The longest figures come from regression estimates based on photographs. Deepwater sampling is difficult, so upper records are sparse.

Bite evidence

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

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 six gill slits mark an ancient branch of shark diversity.

04

TRACE THE CLAIMS

Sources and limits.

Goblin sharkFlorida MuseumBluntnose sixgillFlorida MuseumHow we standardize comparisonsRead the methodology →