The planet hosts organisms that defy time. Among them, the tardigrade has persisted for approximately 600 million years, earning the reputation of the most resilient life form known. Beyond microscopic species, several non‑invertebrate animals boast extraordinary longevity. In the realm of vertebrates, the Greenland shark stands out as a marvel of endurance, surpassing human lifespans by centuries.
The Greenland shark inhabits the deep, frigid waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, diving to depths of up to 7,200 feet. It is the only shark capable of thriving in such icy environments. Because it dwells in remote, hard‑to‑reach habitats, encounters with the species are rare, yet it is distinguished by having the longest known lifespan of any vertebrate. Until recently, scientists estimated its age based on the shark’s exceptionally slow growth rate—less than half an inch per year—suggesting that reaching its impressive length of over 19 feet would take centuries. However, precise age data remained elusive until recently.
All evidence points to an exceptional longevity. The Greenland shark’s languid movements—maxing out at less than 1.8 mph—are complemented by a prolonged life cycle: individuals do not attain sexual maturity until they are over 100 years old, and females experience gestation periods ranging from 8 to 18 years. Such a leisurely pace of life correlates with an extended lifespan.
Estimating age has been challenging because Greenland sharks lack the calcified structures—such as ear bones or vertebral rings—that are used to age many other fish species. Without such hard tissues, researchers had no reliable growth markers to gauge their true age.
In 2016, scientists overcame this hurdle by analyzing proteins within the sharks' eye lenses. The study, published in Science, used carbon dating on the lens nuclei of 28 female Greenland sharks and estimated a minimum lifespan of 272 years. While carbon dating cannot pinpoint exact ages, the data revealed that the largest specimen—measuring 16.4 feet—was between 272 and 512 years old, with a likely age around 392 years. Even the lower bound places the species at the pinnacle of vertebrate longevity.
A shark that may live beyond 500 years is extraordinary and places the Greenland shark among the world’s longest‑living animals, surpassing even many tortoises. The mechanisms underlying this longevity are complex and still under investigation, though researchers have identified several contributing factors. The species’ cold, deep‑water niche and its remarkably slow locomotion have long been implicated.
In 2024, Ewan Camplisson, a biologist and PhD student at the University of Manchester, presented research highlighting that other Arctic fish—such as the northern wolffish, which lives only about 20 years—do not share the Greenland shark’s extraordinary lifespan, despite similar environmental pressures. Camplisson’s team investigated the shark’s metabolic enzymes, revealing that its metabolism remains stable across ages, a feature that likely contributes to its longevity.
The combination of slow locomotion, a cold, deep‑water niche, and a metabolism that does not decline with age provides a foundation for the Greenland shark’s exceptional endurance. Ongoing research continues to uncover additional genetic factors.
In 2025, Japanese scientists analyzing the Greenland shark’s genome identified multiple copies of genes associated with NF‑κB signaling—a key regulator of immune response and inflammation. This upregulation may enhance disease resistance and slow aging. Additionally, other researchers sequenced the genome and discovered 81 copies of DNA‑repair genes, including a modified TP53 variant that helps prevent tumor development. These genetic adaptations likely play a role in extending the shark’s lifespan.
Deciphering the mechanisms that allow the Greenland shark to resist age‑related diseases—such as cardiovascular disorders—could have implications for human health. Camplisson noted that insights from this species might inform strategies to improve the quality of life for the aging human population.
