The Mysterious Giants of the Arctic Depths: Unraveling the Secrets of the Oldest Living Creature

🦈The Greenland shark holds the record for being the oldest living vertebrate, with a lifespan of 400 years.

🌊The Greenland shark is commonly found in the Arctic Ocean and can survive in temperatures as low as 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

🍽️Despite being slow swimmers, Greenland sharks have a unique feeding strategy, using their teeth to tear off chunks of flesh from their prey.

❄️Greenland sharks have antifreeze-like substances in their bodies, preventing ice crystals from forming and enabling them to live in extremely cold conditions.

⚠️Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the Greenland sharks from extinction, as they are often hunted for their liver oil.

How do scientists determine the age of Greenland sharks?

—Scientists determine the age of Greenland sharks by peeling layers of the islands, which keeps growing throughout their lives, and by performing radiocarbon dating on the lens tissues.

What is unique about the feeding strategy of Greenland sharks?

—Greenland sharks use their upper teeth to hold large prey in place and their lower teeth as a blade to tear off chunks of flesh.

Can Greenland sharks attack humans?

—There is no documented evidence of Greenland sharks attacking humans. However, their flesh is toxic and can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to convulsions if consumed.

Where are Greenland sharks commonly found?

—Greenland sharks are commonly found in the Arctic Ocean, especially in the chilly waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans.

Why are conservation efforts important for Greenland sharks?

—Conservation efforts are important to protect Greenland sharks from extinction, as they are often hunted for their liver oil and face threats from habitat loss and climate change.

00:23The Greenland shark is the oldest living vertebrate, with a record lifespan of 400 years.

00:43The Greenland shark, also known as the Ghost Shark, is found in the Arctic Ocean and has adapted to survive in extreme cold temperatures.

01:35Greenland sharks have a unique feeding strategy, using their teeth to tear off chunks of flesh from their prey.

02:07Greenland sharks have antifreeze-like substances in their bodies, enabling them to live in extremely cold conditions.

03:03Conservation efforts are needed to protect Greenland sharks from extinction, as they are often hunted for their liver oil.