Secret of why Greenland sharks live so incredibly long finally revealed

By Elise Poore
Contributions from Hannah Osborne, Harry Baker, James Price
published 2 days ago

Surprising new research has revealed why the world's longest-living vertebrate, the Greenland shark, has such a lengthy lifespan. The findings could have big implications for the species' future.



Greenland shark or Greenland sleeper shark, Somniosus microcephalus and divers, St. Lawrence River estuary, Canada, (shark was wild & unrestrained )
Researchers may have finally discovered the secret behind the Greenland shark's startling longevity. (Image credit: Doug Perrine / Alamy Stock Photo)


Greenland sharks can live for hundreds of years, but scientists have never understood why. Now, researchers may have finally discovered the secret to the animals' startling longevity: their never-changing metabolism. The surprising finding goes against scientists' previous assumptions and could have major implications for how these animals adapt to climate change.

Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) have an average lifespan of at least 250 years but can potentially reach over 500 years old, likely making them the longest-living vertebrates in the world.

These sharks dwell in the Arctic and North Atlantic Ocean at depths of up to 8,684 feet (2,647 meters).

The exact reasons for their long lifespans have been hard to pin down. Researchers have long assumed that their longevity was related to their super-cold environments — they can survive in waters as cold as 29 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 1.8 degrees Celsius) — and minimal movements, according to a statement about the latest findings.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/animals/sharks/secret-of-why-greenland-sharks-live-so-incredibly-long-finally-revealed