A Greenland shark can go through periods that, for us, fill several history books. Work on this species has led to estimates that some individuals can reach several centuries, around four hundred years.
This number is not a date of birth found in a register. It comes from scientific estimates with uncertainty. It is therefore necessary to resist the temptation to attribute to each great shark an exact birthday or a certain list of events he would have “attended”.
The animal is nevertheless exceptional among vertebrates. The study of its genome seeks in particular to understand the mechanisms associated with this longevity. The real surprise is not that an old shark would have kept the memories of the world: it is that its body can continue to function for such a long time.
What we know
Ages are estimated with margins of uncertainty. Genetic pathways are not a definitive explanation.
To go to the source
References consulted on September 20, 2026. Linked pages may be in another language.
Signaler une erreur ou apporter une précision
