Long in the tooth: 'Ancient' shark believed to be world's oldest living vertebrate
A huge shark that may have been born before Shakespeare has been identified by scientists as the world's oldest living vertebrate.
Nature Journal reports that scientists have concluded that the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), which lives in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, have a lifespan of at least 272 years.
A Greenland shark swims away from a boat, returning to the deep and cold waters of the Uummannaq Fjord in northwestern Greenland during tag -and- release program. AAP
One massive shark caught in 2016 could be up to 512 years old, the Science Journal reported.
If confirmed, that would make the shark older than Shakespeare, and it would have lived through the discovery of Australia and the sinking of the Titanic.
Experts used eye tissue analysis and its length to determine the animal's age as between 272 - 512 years.
Much about the mysterious creatures remains unknown – including their biology, physiology and habits.
But studies have revealed that Greenland sharks grow at a rate of about 1cm a year, are nearly blind, and primarily eat fish.
They're not fussy eaters however, and will consume anything that falls off ice.
Some specimens have been found to have polar bear, reindeer and even horse remains in their stomachs.
The ancient species is under threat from human activity.
A local museum in Iceland deals with the iconic local speciality Hakarl, made from the fermented meat of the Greenland shark. Universal Images Group via Getty
Their flesh is still considered a delicacy in Iceland, and the sharks are harvested for both human and sled-dog consumption.
Females don't reach sexual maturity until around 150 years of age, which means heavy fishing could wipe out entire populations, Nature Journal reports.
As slow movers, they're also prone to entanglement in fishing gear and are often caught as bycatch in northern Canadian fisheries.
Contact Raffaella Ciccarelli: rciccarelli@nine.com.au
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