Greenland Shark
Somniosus microcephalus — a massive, slow-moving inhabitant of the cold North Atlantic and Arctic seas. This species has a long, storied presence in the oceans, lingering in dim light and frigid water where many other predators struggle. It is one of the oldest living sharks, a survivor from a time when the oceans looked very different, and it still thrives in today’s chilly currents.
HABITAT? The Greenland shark has a broad but chilly distribution across the North Atlantic. It travels from the waters around Greenland and Iceland into deeper basins off eastern Canada, northern Europe, and parts of the Arctic Ocean. It favors cold, nutrient-rich environments near the edge of sea ice, where prey is abundant. Juveniles tend to wander into shallower coastal zones, while adults drift into deep, dark water at several hundred meters, with occasional sightings at depths well over 1,000 meters and near the edge of the continental shelf. The species is tied to ice-covered regions in the Arctic and subarctic environments; sightings are common in Canadian and Icelandic waters, and bycatch records show a wide distribution across the North Atlantic and into other northern seas as temperatures stay low. Its slow metabolism means it can endure long periods with little food, which is typical of life in the cold north.
DID YOU KNOW? This shark holds several remarkable records. It lives farther north than any other shark species and tolerates water temperatures from just below freezing to about 10 degrees Celsius. Growth and aging studies indicate exceptional longevity, with some individuals estimated to live for two centuries or more, and recent work suggests the possibility of multi-centurial lifespans in rare cases. Greenland sharks can reach lengths near seven meters, placing them among the largest predators in northern seas. Pups are born small, measuring roughly a meter in length at birth, and growth occurs very slowly over many decades. They occupy the Arctic ice edge and descend to depths where light is scarce and water is extremely cold. The flesh is naturally toxic when fresh, a warning that is well known in northern communities; traditional Icelandic and Greenlandic curing through extended fermentation eliminates toxins and yields hákarl, a delicacy treasured in some regions. While not typically aggressive toward people, Greenland sharks will feed on large prey, including polar bears, and reindeer, illustrating their opportunistic feeding habits and vital role in the northern food web.