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 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit, and can swim down to 7,200 feet below the water’s surface. They can also clock in at around 2,220 pounds.* Read more...

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