A Greenland shark studied in 2016 was estimated to be nearly 400 years old, meaning it may have been born around the time Shakespeare’s era was ending — and, astonishingly, would not have reached sexu
Researchers have estimated that a Greenland shark studied in 2016 could be nearly 400 years old, making it the longest-lived vertebrate known. The study utilized radiocarbon dating of the shark's eye lens to determine its age, though researchers acknowledge a significant margin of error.
Why it matters
Understanding the extreme longevity of Greenland sharks provides critical insights into vertebrate biology and marine ecosystem history.
In 2016, researchers put an age to a Greenland shark that is hard to take in. The largest animal in their study was estimated at nearly 400 years old, which would place its birth around the time Shakespeare s era was drawing to a close.
The article is a scientific report based on published research in the journal Science, maintaining an objective tone.
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