The Greenland shark can spend centuries in the ocean, and scientists are still uncovering how its body manages to age so slowly.
It May Live for Centuries
Scientists estimate Greenland sharks can live at least 250 years, with one exceptionally large shark estimated at roughly 392 years old. The exact maximum remains uncertain because the dating method has a wide margin of error.
Scientists Had to Date Its Eyes
Normal shark-aging methods don’t work well because Greenland sharks lack the hard structures that form useful growth bands. Researchers instead used radiocarbon dating on proteins inside their eye lenses.
It Grows Almost Ridiculously Slowly
Greenland sharks may grow less than 1 centimeter per year. That slow growth fits with their extraordinarily long lives—and helps explain why losing even one mature animal can matter for the population.
It Doesn’t Even Become Reproductive Quickly
Scientists estimate sexual maturity occurs at roughly 150 years of age. That means a shark alive today could spend more than a century simply growing toward adulthood.
Its Heart Shows Something Strange
A 2026 study found Greenland sharks can show signs associated with aging, including fibrosis and oxidative stress, while still appearing healthy and physiologically uncompromised. Researchers say this could provide clues about resilience to aging.
Scientists Are Looking at Its DNA
A 2026 study found strong activity in DNA-repair-related genes in the shark’s retina. Researchers suggest these mechanisms may help maintain tissue over extraordinarily long lifespans—but they aren’t yet a complete explanation for the animal’s longevity.
Sources
- Nature Communications, 2026 study of Greenland shark vision and DNA-repair mechanisms.
- Aging Cell, 2026 study of Greenland shark cardiac aging.
- NOAA, Greenland shark longevity research.
- Science, original 2016 radiocarbon-dating study.
- Government of Canada, COSEWIC 2025 Greenland shark assessment.
