The ORS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is a growing reference designed to answer the questions we receive most often from journalists, educators, students, fishers, divers and the general public.

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How old can Greenland sharks become?

The science behind the world’s longest-lived vertebrate, and why its extraordinary lifespan matters.

LAST UPDATED: 16.08.2026

Short answer

Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) are currently considered the longest-lived vertebrates known to science. The oldest individual examined was estimated to be approximately 392 ± 120 years old, indicating that some Greenland sharks can live for several centuries.

Although this estimate carries considerable uncertainty, there is little doubt that Greenland sharks are exceptionally long-lived. Their extraordinary lifespan, combined with extremely slow growth and very late sexual maturity, makes them unlike almost any other vertebrate on Earth.

How do scientists know?

Determining the age of a Greenland shark is surprisingly difficult. Unlike many shark species, Greenland sharks do not possess calcified vertebrae with annual growth bands that can be counted to estimate age. Traditional ageing techniques therefore do not work.

The breakthrough came in 2016 when Julius Nielsen and colleagues developed an alternative approach using radiocarbon dating of the eye lens. The centre of the eye lens contains proteins formed before birth that remain unchanged throughout the shark’s life. By measuring the amount of radiocarbon in this tissue, the researchers were able to estimate when each shark was born.

The largest shark examined, measuring approximately 5 metres (16.5 ft), was estimated to be 392 ± 120 years old. The study also suggested that female Greenland sharks may not reach sexual maturity until approximately 156 ± 22 years of age.

These estimates transformed our understanding of Greenland sharks and established the species as the longest-lived vertebrate currently known to science.

It is important to remember, however, that 392 years is an estimate, not a precisely measured age. The uncertainty associated with radiocarbon dating means that scientists cannot yet determine the exact age of individual Greenland sharks. For this reason, ORS recommends avoiding statements such as “Greenland sharks live to 500 years old.” A more accurate description is that they can live for several centuries, with the oldest individual studied estimated at approximately 392 ± 120 years.

Why do they live so long?

Scientists are still trying to answer that question.

For many years, Greenland shark longevity was attributed primarily to an extremely slow metabolism associated with life in cold, deep water. Their slow growth and energy-efficient lifestyle almost certainly contribute to their exceptional lifespan.

More recent research suggests the explanation is more complex. A chromosome-level genome published in 2026 identified several genetic adaptations involving DNA repair, genome maintenance, immune function, and cellular regulation that may also contribute to the species’ remarkable longevity. Researchers are also investigating how Greenland sharks maintain healthy tissues over such extraordinarily long lives.

Although the precise mechanisms remain under investigation, it is increasingly clear that Greenland shark longevity results from a combination of slow growth, cold-water physiology, and biological adaptations that help maintain normal cellular function over centuries.

Why does this matter?

Extreme longevity has important conservation implications.

A species that may require more than 150 years to reach sexual maturity cannot quickly recover from increased mortality. The loss of even a few mature individuals may affect populations for generations.

For this reason, Greenland sharks are particularly vulnerable to overfishing, bycatch, and other human-caused mortality. Understanding their extraordinary life history helps explain why precautionary conservation measures are so important.

Conclusion

The popular description of the Greenland shark as a “500-year-old shark” captures the public imagination, but the science is more nuanced.

What we know with confidence is that Greenland sharks can live for several centuries, grow extraordinarily slowly, and mature later than almost any other vertebrate. Ongoing research is now shifting the focus from simply asking how old these sharks become to understanding how a vertebrate can remain alive and functional for so long.

REFERENCES

Peer-reviewed literature

ORS resources

The ORS FAQ is being expanded progressively as new articles are completed.

In the meantime, you may find the following resources helpful:

https://thereport.live/

• White shark profile
• Greenland shark profile
• Canadian Shark Attack Registry
• White shark press releases