Greenland Shark
Somniosus microcephalus
As the largest fish in the Arctic Ocean and one of the larger sharks in the world, the sedate Greenland shark drifts slowly through the cold waters in search of prey. Feeding on a wide variety of animals, from seals to echinoderms, these sharks are apex predators of the Arctic waters. Greenland sharks swim slowly through the water normally averaging less than a mile an hour.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Greenland Shark
Somniosus microcephalus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Near threatened
CLIMATE CHANGE: Uncertain
Geographic Distribution
These sharks are found in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
Habitat
They live in cold Arctic waters, typically at 450—800 meters depth, but can range between from 100—1200 meters.
Physical Characteristics
The Greenland shark has a large, heavy cylindrical body with a short round snout. Greenland sharks are typically medium grey or brown in color with small spots or blotches of lighter tone or darker transverse bands. The two dorsal fins are equally sized along with small precaudal fins, and they do not have an anal fin.
Size
These sharks range from 2.4—4.3 meters (8—13 feet)long with a maximum known size of 6.4 meters (21 feet). They weigh between 700 and 1000 kilograms (1500—2200 pounds).
Diet
Greenland sharks have a highly varied diet including fish like Atlantic cod, skates, and wolffish, as well as seals and even various invertebrates such as mollusks, echinoderms, and decapods. They live as opportunistic apex predators, feeding on whatever they encounter.
Reproduction
They are ovoviviparous, retaining developing embryos inside the body instead of laying eggs. Pregnant females carry up to 10 pups between their two uteruses. Gestation and mating periods are currently unknown although some evidence suggests reproduction doesn’t occur until approximately 100—150 years.
While mating behavior is unknown, scars on caudal fins of females suggest similar biting behaviors as other male sharks biting the females’ fins in mating rituals.
Behavior
Direct observations of Greenland sharks are uncommon which limits understanding of their behavior. They are typically seen cruising very slowly at speeds of less than 1 mile per hour in icy waters.
Adaptation
The blood of Greenland sharks has high concentrations of urea and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in their blood, which combine to form a natural antifreeze in their blood. This chemical reaction keeps the shark from forming ice crystals inside its body in the cold depths.
Longevity
Their estimated lifespan is at least 270 to possibly over 500 years.
Conservation
Greenland sharks are considered “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Special Notes
As the longest living vertebrate in the world, the Greenland shark is believed to begin reproducing after it reaches 100 years old.
Greenland sharks are normally toxic from the high quantities of urea and trimethylamine N-oxide in their blood, but through careful fermentation and preparation can be eaten in the form of the Icelandic delicacy “hakarl”. The traditional preparation process involves burying the shark carcass for several weeks in a rocky pit to remove the toxins.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Greenland Shark
Somniosus microcephalus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Near threatened
CLIMATE CHANGE: Uncertain
These sharks are found in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
They live in cold Arctic waters, typically at 450—800 meters depth, but can range between from 100—1200 meters.
The Greenland shark has a large, heavy cylindrical body with a short round snout. Greenland sharks are typically medium grey or brown in color with small spots or blotches of lighter tone or darker transverse bands. The two dorsal fins are equally sized along with small precaudal fins, and they do not have an anal fin.
These sharks range from 2.4—4.3 meters (8—13 feet)long with a maximum known size of 6.4 meters (21 feet). They weigh between 700 and 1000 kilograms (1500—2200 pounds).
Greenland sharks have a highly varied diet including fish like Atlantic cod, skates, and wolffish, as well as seals and even various invertebrates such as mollusks, echinoderms, and decapods. They live as opportunistic apex predators, feeding on whatever they encounter.
They are ovoviviparous, retaining developing embryos inside the body instead of laying eggs. Pregnant females carry up to 10 pups between their two uteruses. Gestation and mating periods are currently unknown although some evidence suggests reproduction doesn’t occur until approximately 100—150 years.
While mating behavior is unknown, scars on caudal fins of females suggest similar biting behaviors as other male sharks biting the females’ fins in mating rituals.
Direct observations of Greenland sharks are uncommon which limits understanding of their behavior. They are typically seen cruising very slowly at speeds of less than 1 mile per hour in icy waters.
The blood of Greenland sharks has high concentrations of urea and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in their blood, which combine to form a natural antifreeze in their blood. This chemical reaction keeps the shark from forming ice crystals inside its body in the cold depths.
Their estimated lifespan is at least 270 to possibly over 500 years.
Greenland sharks are considered “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
As the longest living vertebrate in the world, the Greenland shark is believed to begin reproducing after it reaches 100 years old.
Greenland sharks are normally toxic from the high quantities of urea and trimethylamine N-oxide in their blood, but through careful fermentation and preparation can be eaten in the form of the Icelandic delicacy “hakarl”. The traditional preparation process involves burying the shark carcass for several weeks in a rocky pit to remove the toxins.