Radiocarbon Findings Push Greenland Shark Longevity Into Unprecedented Territory

Radiocarbon research continues to reshape what scientists know about the oldest vertebrates on the planet. The new data shows that Greenland sharks, already known for slow growth and deep-sea living, may survive far longer than previously believed. Radiocarbon measurements taken from eye-lens proteins suggest that some individuals fall between 335 and 392 years old, placing them among the most long-lived creatures in recorded scientific history. Also Read: Past weekend: 3 Major Concerns as Jungkook Faces Repeated Home Intrusions in November 2025

Radiocarbon analysis also supports a widely noted estimate that one female shark could have been born around 1620, a period when early European ships had only begun crossing the Atlantic. Even though age estimates carry uncertainty, the range highlights a level of longevity that few marine species can match.

Radiocarbon Data Shows How Slow Growth and Cold Waters Shape Extreme Lifespans

Radiocarbon studies point to a simple but powerful explanation behind the sharks’ longevity. Greenland sharks mature extremely slowly, reaching reproductive age only after roughly 150 years. Their lifestyle in deep, cold Arctic waters keeps metabolism low, growth steady, and energy use minimal. results match this pattern, showing that their biological timeline operates on an unusually extended scale. This slow pace influences every part of their lives, from movement to reproduction, and makes their lifespan an important biological marker for long-living marine animals.

Radiocarbon Age Estimates Raise Major Conservation Concerns

Radiocarbon estimates highlight a serious conservation challenge. When a species takes more than a century to reach maturity, recovery from population pressure becomes extremely slow. If Greenland sharks reproduce only after crossing the 150-year mark, the impact of fishing, environmental damage, or habitat disturbance becomes far more severe. evidence strengthens the argument that even minor population losses can take centuries to repair. This makes long-term protection essential, as the species cannot respond quickly to threats.

Radiocarbon Uncertainty Remains, But the Longevity Patterns Are Clear

analysis involves some natural limitations. Scientists cannot confirm an exact birth year for each shark because the estimates come from modelled ranges rather than exact historical data. The deep Arctic environment also hides most of the animals’ lives from human observation, which makes continuous tracking almost impossible. Despite these uncertainties, the radiocarbon evidence points to a consistent pattern: Greenland sharks live far beyond normal vertebrate expectations. Even a conservative reading places them in a category of life that stretches across centuries.

 

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Conclusion

Radiocarbon research on Greenland sharks provides a rare look into a species that measures time on a scale humans rarely consider. The findings show a lifespan that spans centuries, a slow and steady biology shaped by cold waters, and the urgent need for stronger protection.