Greenland sharks could be the world's longest-living vertebrates
 

Greenland sharks could be the world's longest-living vertebrates
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The Greenland shark, a massive creature that thrives in sub-Arctic waters, may be the oldest animal in the world, a new study finds.

Researchers estimated that the sharks have an average lifespan of at least 272 years. That’s roughly six decades older than the previous contender for longest-living vertebrate: the bowhead whale.

The study, published Thursday in the journal Science, sheds new light on the little-k**wn Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), which is rarely observed in its natural environment. *

SEE ALSO: Watch this oddly serene drone footage of basking sharks in Scotland


The sharks prefer chilly waters, between 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and can swim down to 7,200 feet below the surface. They *also clock in at around 2,220 pounds.* Read more...

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