In the icy waters of the North Atlantic, a silent survivor swims. The Greenland shark, a rarely seen deep-sea dweller, has shocked scientists with its extreme lifespan. One female was found to be nearly 400 years old, making it the longest-living vertebrate ever recorded.
What is the Greenland shark and how long does it live?
Greenland sharks grow very slowly in cold, dark waters. They can reach about five metres in length but gain only one centimetre each year. Unlike most marine animals, they don’t reach maturity until 150 years of age. Their slow development gives them a longer life than any other known vertebrate.
A study published in Science used radiocarbon dating to test this. Researchers studied eye lens proteins that remain unchanged after birth. These biological clues revealed the shark’s true age. The most accurate estimate dated the shark’s birth to around 1620. Results even estimate that it might have been born as early as 1501.
How do Greenland sharks live for so long?
Their bodies slow down because they live in the cold depths. This low-temperature level minimises cellular damage as time passes. Slowed metabolism and gradual body growth keep them alive longer. These natural characteristics make them one of nature's most exceptional creatures.
However, their slow growth has a disadvantage. Greenland sharks are highly vulnerable to overfishing. They were once hunted for their liver oil, which was in high demand. Heavy fishing before World War II caused a sharp drop in their population.
What’s next for this ancient species?
Today, most Greenland sharks in the wild are still young. Many haven’t yet matured or begun to reproduce. Experts believe their population may take a century to recover.
This raises an issue with their future in the wild. Conserving these sharks is more imperative than ever. They are not just a component of sea life but also a connection to the distant past of the planet.
Scientists say these sharks are “time travellers,” silently watching the world change from below. If lost, their story would vanish with them, four centuries of survival gone in one generation.
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