Scientists Say Greenland Sharks Could Live To 500 Years Old

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LONDON (CBSMiami) -- It was already believed that the greenland shark was an ancient creature with a long lifespan.

The slow-swimming deep sea predator that presides primarily in the icy-cold waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic has a growth rate of less than half an inch per year, yet is among the largest species of sharks still alive today, comparable in size to great whites.

Now, it's believed that they're the longest-lived vertebrate species on Earth, according to a new study.

Scientists say radiocarbon dating of 28 samples showed that the animals live an average of 272 years, reaching maturity at the age of 150, and possibly having a maximum lifespan of 512 years young. The oldest sample, they said, showed an age of 392.

The study does show that there is a ± 120 year span for error, making the results not entirely conclusive. However, that number would still give the shark a longer lifespan than certain species of tortoise or the rougheye rockfish, both believed to reach 200+ years old.

The studies were done by looking deep into the sharks' eyes, measuring protein build-up in their lenses to determine age.

The research does have its skeptics, though. Some in the scientific community say that while the methodology used to date the sharks is sound, there may be other variables that could provide misleading radiocarbon dating figures.