The Greenland shark has attracted the attention of scientists due to its incredible longevity. With an average lifespan of around 270 years, some of these species can live up to 500 years, making them the longest-living vertebrates on the planet.
Discovered in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, these giant sharks, which can reach up to 6 meters in length, stand out with their slow metabolism and adaptation to low temperatures.
This finding was described in more detail at the Annual Conference of the Society for Experimental Biology in Prague, Czech Republic, where Ewan Camplisson, a PhD student at the University of Manchester, highlighted the characteristics of this unique animal.
“We want to understand what adaptations they have that allow them to live so long. Most species show changes in their metabolism as they age. We want to determine whether Greenland sharks also show this traditional sign of ageing, or whether their metabolism remains unchanged over time,” he began.
“This species is quite different from most animals, which tend to show some differences in metabolic enzyme activity as they age,” Camplisson continued. “The results support our hypothesis that the Greenland shark does not show the same traditional signs of ageing as other animals.”
“A female Greenland shark may not reach sexual maturity until she is 150 years old, and with such a long generation time, the species will have much less chance of adapting to anthropogenic changes in its environment,” he said.
If its meat is eaten without drying, it can kill
They can grow up to 7 meters in length and weigh over 1 ton. These sharks generally live in deep seas and can be seen frequently in Canada, Iceland, Norway, the North Atlantic Ocean and Greenland. Although the species is not yet in danger of extinction, it is a target for hunters. It is killed for its oil and meat. Its meat is poisonous if eaten without drying.
Biological characteristics of the Greenland shark:
Slow metabolism: Their metabolic rate is extremely low, allowing them to reduce cellular wear and aging.
DNA Repair : They have a highly efficient DNA repair system that helps them repair damage caused by time and environment.
Protection against diseases: Having a strong immune system and being resistant to diseases allows them to live longer.
