Greenland sharks have roamed the oceans for over 400 years: 5 mind-blowing facts
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5 insane facts about Greenland sharks
The ocean hides some incredible secrets, and one of them is the Greenland shark, a creature estimated to live between 250 to 500 years! Imagine a shark silently gliding through the icy waters of the Arctic since the time of Shakespeare or even before the Mughal Empire peaked in India. These slow-moving giants are full of surprises, and here are five mind-blowing facts about them.
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They are the longest-living vertebrates on Earth
Most animals don’t come close to living as long as Greenland sharks. Scientists have discovered that some of these sharks swimming today hatched centuries ago. Their secret? A slow metabolism and freezing Arctic waters that slow down their ageing process dramatically.
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They hardly ever see clearly
A strange fact about these sharks is that most of them go blind over time. Tiny parasites attach to their eyes, damaging their vision. But since they rely more on their sense of smell to hunt, being blind doesn’t seem to bother them!
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They move slower than a human walks
If you think sharks are all about speed, think again! Greenland sharks are one of the slowest-moving sharks in the world. They swim at an average speed of just 0.76 mph, slower than most people walk! Yet, they are still skilled hunters and manage to catch sleeping prey.
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They have poisonous flesh
You’d think a shark this big would be great for seafood, but eating its meat raw can be deadly. The flesh of a Greenland shark is full of toxins that can make people very ill. Icelanders, however, have found a way to make it edible by fermenting it for months, a dish called hákarl.
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They were once hunted for their oil
Back in the day, Greenland sharks were hunted for their liver oil, which was used in lamps. Their livers are huge, making up almost a third of their body weight! Thankfully, hunting them has reduced, and these ancient creatures continue to roam the oceans.