Nature & Environment

Scientists discover that one species of shark can live for 400 years

By T.K. Randall
June 21, 2026

Image: Greenland Shark
Credit: Hemming1952 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) There are some seriously long-lived organisms on our planet - many of which leave human lifespans in the dust - but when it comes to vertebrates, the lifespan of one species in particular clearly exceeds that of all others.

Found in the dark depths of the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, the Greenland shark is rarely seen.

Growing up to five meters in length, these mysterious, slow-paced creatures were always thought to have long lifespans, though scientists have typically struggled to calculate the age of any given individual.

Around 50 years ago, it was determined that Greenland sharks grow by around 5cm a year - a figure that would seem to imply a very long lifespan indeed considering how large some of them are.It wasn't until recently when scientists began looking at the levels of radiocarbons (from nuclear testing) in some of these sharks that they were finally able to build up a clearer picture.

Because radiocarbon levels were much higher in smaller (and therefore younger) sharks, researchers were able to come up with a way to calculate just how old these animals are likely to be.

Their findings indicated that Greenland sharks can live up to around 400 years - meaning that there are still some swimming in the ocean that were alive during the American Revolution.

The average age is likely around 272 years, with females reaching maturity at around 156 years old.

Suffice to say, the longevity of the species is simply staggering.

Source: IFL Science

Tags: Greenland Shark