Living up to a hundred years can be a blast.
Some of us can’t even imagine being alive for a century. And who would even want to?
Then, can you imagine that there is actually a creature that has been alive for the last four to five centuries? Say hello to this ancient shark, which has shocked every biologist and shark fanatic.
Scientists estimate that the shark could be 500-year-old. To put this on a scale, this shark was probably born in the reign of King Henry VIII, and this is impressive.
According to the researchers at Shark Sider, the shark has been blind for quite a long time. This could be due to the fact that parasites often invade the eyes of these deepwater-dwellers, and impair the vision significantly.
These sharks move at a very slow pace in order to conserve energy, which is why they live to see centuries unfold. And their growth is apathetic as well- only a centimeter annually.
This particular shark measures 18 feet long, and scientists estimate its age could range anywhere from 272 to 400 years old. Some speculate the age to be more than 500, but according to The Washington Post, this is likely an inaccurate assumption. Radiocarbon dating also disproved the latter.
However, even with longevity being a typical aspect, even 400 years is quite an exaggerated lifespan, and this shark is the oldest of the other 28 sharks discovered by scientists. It is also worth noting that almost nothing is known about their hunting habits since they live at such great depths.
Some sharks have even been observed with reindeer and horse remains inside them, and we can’t stop wondering how they got there! Researchers also theorize that these sharks are scavengers and enjoy a good second-hand meal of dead narwhals, beluga whales, and even polar bears.
One more noteworthy aspect is the fact that these are the only animals that dwell in the deep icy water of the Arctic ocean all year round. Some even say that the low temperatures are their secrets to a long and healthy life!
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