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Greenland Sharks May Live 500 Years Proving the Ocean Holds Time Travelers
Science
Published on 1 May 2026
A 2016 test dated one shark at centuries old
Scientists studying Greenland sharks say some individuals may live for centuries, with estimates topping 390 years and possibly reaching 500. A 2016 study used radiocarbon dating of eye lenses to determine age. Slow growth and late maturity in cold, deep waters leave them especially vulnerable, offering a rare look at long timescales in the ocean.
- Greenland sharks can live for centuries, potentially up to 500 years
- Radiocarbon dating of eye lenses helped determine their ages
- Slow growth and maturity make them highly vulnerable
- Findings reshape how scientists think about ocean lifespans
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times