Scientists are continuing to unlock the mysteries of one of the world’s longest-living animals—the Greenland shark, a deep-sea predator capable of surviving for up to 400 years. New research into the species is offering valuable clues about healthy ageing, disease resistance and the biology of exceptional longevity.
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), found in the icy waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, is the longest-lived known vertebrate on Earth. Researchers estimate that some individuals alive today may have been born in the early 1600s, centuries before the Industrial Revolution.
Scientists believe the shark’s remarkable lifespan is linked to its slow metabolism, cold-water habitat and unique genetic makeup. Unlike many animals, Greenland sharks grow at an extremely slow rate—less than one centimetre per year—and do not reach sexual maturity until around 150 years of age.
Recent genetic studies have identified genes associated with DNA repair, immune function and protection against age-related diseases. Researchers say understanding how these biological mechanisms work could eventually contribute to advances in human medicine, particularly in treating conditions linked to ageing such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disorders and certain cancers.
The shark’s ability to maintain healthy cells over centuries has become a major focus for biologists and medical researchers worldwide. Experts caution that while humans are unlikely to replicate the shark’s extraordinary lifespan, studying its biology could reveal ways to improve health during ageing rather than simply extending life.
Conservationists also stress that despite their longevity, Greenland sharks remain vulnerable to climate change, accidental fishing and habitat disruption. Because the species reproduces so slowly, populations recover over decades, making protection efforts increasingly important.
As scientists continue to study this ancient predator, the Greenland shark is emerging not only as a marine marvel but also as a living laboratory that may help answer one of humanity’s oldest questions: how to live longer, healthier lives.