Greenland Shark
Somniosus microcephalus
An icy giant can outlive generations of humans.
The Greenland shark cruises Arctic water at a wonderfully unhurried pace. Its cold, slow life may last for centuries, longer than any other known vertebrate.
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From field guide to game table
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Quick dive
Creature passport
- Home
- It lives in cold Arctic and North Atlantic waters from the surface to great depths.
- Favorite foods
- It eats fishes, seals, and carrion found along the seafloor.
- Size check
- Usually 8–14 ft (2.4–4.3 m); giants may reach 24 ft (7.3 m)
Tell-your-friends facts
Four wonderfully wild things
- 1
One large female was estimated at about 392 years old, although the estimate has a wide range.
- 2
Greenland sharks grow only a tiny amount each year.
- 3
A small copepod often attaches to the surface of an eye.
- 4
Females give birth to live pups instead of laying egg cases.
Ocean superpower
Built to be amazing
A very slow metabolism helps it save energy and age extraordinarily slowly.
Junior scientist tip
What should I look for?
Notice the rounded snout, tiny fins, small eyes, and heavy gray body.
Grown-up research links
We used trusted science organizations to check this profile.