11/30/2023 8:27 am, updated 11/30/2023 11:18 am
The Greenland shark, the oldest animal in the world at about 518 years old, appeared near Belize in the Caribbean. These animals can live at least 400 years, twice as long as the giant tortoise, the world’s longestlived land animal.
The Greenland shark lives in extremely cold and deep waters and is poorly researched due to difficult access compared to other shark species. Somniosus microcephalus, the animal’s scientific name, means “smallheaded sleepyhead” and is known for its slowness.
Although its scientific name suggests sleepiness, the presence of this animal is not limited to the seas of the Global North.
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These sharks are estimated to reach reproductive maturity at around 150 years of age and are among the largest of the species due to their body size. They reach a length of 6.4 meters and a weight of up to 1,000 kilograms, making them close to great white sharks.
Poisonous meat and shark attacks
The meat of these sharks is poisonous and causes symptoms similar to those of intoxication in humans due to trimethylamine oxide (TMAO). This adaptation helps them withstand the negative effects of severe cold and high water pressure.
Despite their ability to easily injure or kill humans, Greenland sharks appear to be generally peaceful and there are no documented records of attacks.
Invisibility and preference for cold water
“Invisibility” is a fascinating feature of these Arctic sharks. Footage of this species was first recorded in 1995; a video in its natural habitat was not recorded until 18 years later.
The wellbeing of these sharks lies in icecold water. They thrive in extremely cold environments and prefer to live in waters with a temperature of 1 to 10°C. Interestingly, they are the only sharks known to tolerate Arctic conditions yearround.