Greenland Shark: The 200-Year Ocean Mystery
The mysterious Greenland shark is one of the most fascinating discoveries in modern marine biology . Scientists recently confirmed that this deep-sea predator can live more than 200 years , making it the longest-living vertebrate on Earth. Researchers studying the cold waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic Ocean discovered that these giant sharks age extremely slowly and may hold secrets that could transform our understanding of human aging , ocean ecosystems, and the future of medicine. For readers interested in ocean discoveries and marine science, visit our site: Natural World 50 . What Is the Greenland Shark? The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) lives in the icy depths of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It can reach lengths of over 7 meters (23 feet) and weigh more than 1,000 kilograms. Despite its enormous size, it swims extremely slowly — about 1 km per hour — making it one of the slowest sharks in the world. These sharks inhabit deep wat...