Scientists Clarify the ‘512-Year-Old’ Greenland Shark Claim

There have been claims of a 512-year-old shark discovery, creating a buzz through the Internet. While these headlines make for exciting reading, the reality is both more nuanced and equally fascinating.

The Greenland shark, a mysterious creature dwelling in the frigid Arctic waters, does indeed hold the title of the longest-living vertebrate on Earth – but claims of a specific 512-year-old individual are misleading.

Here’s the truth of this story, separating fact from fiction and uncovering the true wonders of these extraordinary beings.

The Science Behind the Age

Determining the age of Greenland sharks presents unique challenges. Unlike other shark species, these giants lack hard tissue in their vertebrae that would typically show growth rings. 

Instead, scientists used an innovative method of radiocarbon dating on the sharks’ eye tissue to estimate their ages. Research on 28 female Greenland sharks revealed they were at least 272 years old, with the possibility of being up to 512 years old.

Living Fossils of the Deep

Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) can grow up to 24 feet in length and weigh up to 2,645 pounds. They cruise through the Arctic and North Atlantic waters at a leisurely pace of just one foot per second, reaching depths of over 9,000 feet. 

Their extreme longevity appears to be linked to their unchanging metabolism, which differs from most other animals whose metabolic rates decrease with age.

The Secret to Their Longevity

Recent research has unveiled fascinating insights into these ancient creatures’ extraordinary lifespans. Scientists have discovered that Greenland sharks maintain a remarkably stable metabolism throughout their lives, showing no traditional signs of aging. 

This biological stability, combined with their adaptation to cold, deep waters, contributes to their exceptional longevity. Even more intriguingly, these sharks don’t reach sexual maturity until they’re about 150 years old.

Conservation Concerns

The longevity of Greenland sharks makes them particularly vulnerable to human activities. Their late maturation means that any impact on their population can have consequences lasting centuries.

While they were once hunted for their liver oil, today the primary threat comes from accidental capture in fishing nets. 

As ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, these cold-adapted creatures face new challenges, as warmer waters could significantly affect their carefully balanced metabolism.

A Living Window to the Past

Consider this: Some of the Greenland sharks swimming in our oceans today were alive during the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and both World Wars.

While we haven’t found a confirmed 512-year-old individual, even the minimum verified age of 272 years makes these sharks extraordinary time capsules of marine history. Their ability to avoid age-related diseases and maintain active lives for centuries makes them invaluable subjects for understanding longevity and aging in vertebrates.

The Greenland shark is a testament to the mysteries still lurking in our oceans. While social media may occasionally oversimplify their story, the verified facts about these ancient creatures are no less astounding.

As we continue to study these living legends, they may hold keys to understanding aging, adaptation, and survival in an ever-changing marine environment.

Source:

1. LiveScience