Greenland shark facts
The Greenland shark is a deep-water giant inhabiting the coldest regions of the Arctic and North Atlantic. This massive species prowls the dim depths where few other large animals venture, sharing the frigid waters with creatures like the narwhal. Adapted to extreme cold and crushing pressure, the Greenland shark remains one of the Arctic's most enigmatic residents, rarely encountered by humans and poorly understood compared to other marine predators.
The species is distinguished by its extraordinary longevity. Scientific estimates suggest Greenland sharks may live for several centuries, making them the longest-lived vertebrate known to science. This remarkable lifespan reflects their slow metabolism and the stable conditions of their deep, cold environment, where life processes unfold at a measured pace fundamentally different from warmer-water ecosystems.
As a predator and scavenger, the Greenland shark feeds opportunistically on marine mammals and other prey. Its hunting strategy relies on the stealth afforded by darkness and cold, though much remains unknown about its feeding ecology and daily behavior in the deep. The species' mystery is partly due to its remote habitat and the technical challenges of studying deep-water animals in Arctic regions.
The Greenland shark represents a unique chapter in Arctic marine biology. Its extreme age and cold-adapted physiology offer scientists valuable insights into how life persists in Earth's most extreme environments and how metabolism can slow to match a lifespan measured in centuries rather than decades.
Sources: NOAA — Greenland Shark; IUCN Red List — Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus). Educational information only. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the greenland shark?
The greenland shark grows to about about 4–6 m and can weigh up to ~1,000 kg.
What does the greenland shark eat?
Its diet is mainly fish, seals, scavenged carcasses.
Where does the greenland shark live?
It is found in the cold north atlantic & arctic, very deep.
Is the greenland shark endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the greenland shark as Vulnerable. Its estimated population is unknown.
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