Book 18, Question 92
How Old Can a Greenland Shark Get?
A Greenland shark may live for hundreds of years, longer than any other animal with a backbone.
A Greenland shark may live for hundreds of years! Scientists estimate some are 250 to 500 years old. That makes them the longest-living backboned animals known.
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Quick answers
How long might they live?
Greenland sharks may live nearly 400 years.
When do they have babies?
They don't have babies until they are about 150 years old.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, NOAA Ocean Service
More fun facts
- Greenland sharks may live nearly 400 years.
- Even the low estimate, about 272 years, makes them the longest-lived animals with backbones.
- They don't have babies until they are about 150 years old.
- That makes their numbers easy to harm by overfishing.
- Scientists are studying their DNA to learn the secrets of their long lives.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, NOAA Ocean Service
Questions kids ask
When do Greenland sharks have babies?
Not until they are about 150 years old.