Greenland Shark

About the Greenland Shark

The longest-lived vertebrate on Earth at 400+ years. They do not reach sexual maturity until 150 years old. They swim at only 0.3 m/s, one of the slowest fish. Their flesh is toxic due to trimethylamine oxide but Icelanders eat it after months of fermentation. A parasitic copepod routinely attaches to their corneas, gradually blinding them. Most Greenland sharks are partially blind yet still hunt successfully. They can dive to 2,200 meters. They grow about 1 cm per year. Their toxic flesh smells like urine. They are apex predators of the deep Arctic.