How long can a Greenland shark live, according to scientific age estimates?

Scientific estimates indicate that Greenland sharks can live for at least 272 years.

Researchers estimated Greenland shark ages by radiocarbon dating proteins in the eye lenses of sharks caught in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The technique suggested that the largest sampled animals were several centuries old. One study estimated a maximum age of about 392 years, although the uncertainty range was broad.

The frequently cited figure of 272 years is therefore a conservative minimum estimate for the species’ extraordinary longevity, not a claim that every Greenland shark reaches that age. The sharks grow extremely slowly, mature late, and live in very cold water, all traits associated with unusually long lives.

Greenland sharks are among the largest predatory sharks, but they move slowly and often feed on fish, seals, and carrion. Their sluggish behavior has led to the nickname “sleeper shark.” Their age estimates are scientific calculations rather than observations of individual sharks tracked throughout their lives.