A Greenland shark is estimated to be nearly 400 years old, making it the longest-living vertebrate known 🦈✨. These deep-sea giants grow extremely slowly — about 1 cm per year — and can reach over 5 metres in length 📏. Research published in Science used radiocarbon dating of eye-lens proteins to place the shark’s birth in the early 1600s, though the exact age range is wide 📚🧪. Their cold, deep-water habitat and slow metabolism help them achieve such extraordinary lifespans ❄️🌊. Since they reproduce very slowly, experts warn that populations may take many decades to recover, highlighting the importance of strong conservation efforts 🌍💙.
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1November 25, 2025 1.5K 1
