Topic2 facts
Discover the Greenland Shark, the longest-living vertebrate on Earth! Unravel the mysteries of this ancient, deep-sea creature of the Arctic.
These elusive sharks inhabit the frigid waters of the North Atlantic and grow incredibly slowly, reaching sexual maturity around 150 years old. Their extremely long lifespan is attributed to their slow metabolism in the deep, cold ocean environment, making them the longest-living vertebrate known.
Through radiocarbon dating of their eye lenses, scientists discovered these Arctic predators have an average lifespan of 272 years, with some individuals estimated to be 500 years old. They grow only about a centimeter per year, contributing to their longevity.
