The elusive predator of the deep can live for hundreds of years. Scientists have discovered its secret
The polar shark that lives in cold waters can live up to 400 years. CNN reports that by studying this creature, the lifespan of humans may be extended.
Researchers from all over the world have been researching the secret of longevity for years. As the authors of CNN Science note, the lessons on this topic come to us mainly from the world of nature. They reminded us of the giant Jonathan tortoise that lives on Saint Helena Island in the Atlantic.
Why do polar sharks live so long?
According to them, Jonathan the tortoise was born around 1832. Although he is blind and has lost his sense of smell, he has exceptionally good hearing considering his advanced age. During mild weather, he is still spotted sunbathing on the beach.
However, there is a creature that lives even longer than a 200-year-old turtle. We are talking about the polar shark, also called the Greenland shark. It is a slow animal that swims in the deep waters of the northern Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It is the only species of shark that can withstand the local temperatures all year round.
According to researchers, a giant shark can live for up to 400 years, maybe longer. After examining its unusual genome, scientists said they had found the fragments responsible for its longevity. Some of them suggest that this could be used in the future to extend the average lifespan of our species.
Polar sharks live longer because they are slower?
There has been interest in polar sharks before, also because of their long lifespan. During the SEB Conference Prague 2024, one of the groups of scientists shared their discoveries. Based on results from 23 tissue samples, researchers concluded that the secret may lie in the slow pace of life of these creatures.
They emphasized that the polar shark is not only the longest-living vertebrate, but also the slowest representative of sharks. Their speed is less than 1.2 km/h. They swim slowly to save energy and this is reflected in their slow aging process.
Ewan Camplisson from the University of Manchester believes that the slow lifestyle of polar sharks is key in explaining its longevity. It is also about the unique structure of the heart, which requires limited activity. The immune system of these animals is also important, protecting them against cancer and infectious diseases.
