File:Somniosus_microcephalus_okeanos.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Greenland shark
Sign in to saveAlso known as gurry shark, grey shark, Somniosus microcephalus
species of shark
OverviewAI-generated
The Greenland shark, scientifically named *Somniosus microcephalus*, is a species of shark belonging to the family Somniosidae. It is classified within the order Squaliformes, class Elasmobranchii, and phylum Chordata. The taxon name was established by Bloch & Schneider in 1801. Other common names for this organism include groenlandse haai, greenland shark, and håkjerring.
This shark inhabits marine and brackish environments. Its conservation status is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a regional status of Critically Endangered. The most recent assessment for its global status was conducted in 2020. The longest observed lifespan for this species is 500 years.
Synthesized by Vinony from 22 facts across 4 sources: Wikidata, IUCN Red List, WoRMS, Vinony graph. Generated from structured data (not the Wikipedia text) and checked against those facts — may still contain errors.
Species
VulnerableGreenland shark
Species
- PhylumChordata
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderSqualiformes
- FamilySomniosidae
The Greenland shark is an inhabitant of the deep North Pole seas. However every once in a while, it is seen in Dutch waters. Greenland shark meat is toxic and can only be consumed when prepared in a special way. The skin of this shark is used to bind books. Greenland sharks are omnivores. Scientists have found the strangest food items it their stomachs, such as reindeer, dogs, cats and even a polar beer. These animals were probably already dead when the shark consumed them.
via IUCN
Wikidata facts
Show 8 more facts
- taxon rank
- species
- IUCN conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Commons category
- Somniosus microcephalus
- taxon name
- Somniosus microcephalus
- taxon common name
- grenlandski morski pes
- longest observed lifespan
- 500
- short name
- S. microcephalus
- regional conservation status
- Critically Endangered
Sources (1)
via Wikidata · CC0
~23 min read
Encyclopedic overview
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), also known as the grey shark or gurry shark, is a large shark of the family Somniosidae ("sleeper sharks"), closely related to the Pacific and southern sleeper sharks. Inhabiting the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, they are notable for their exceptional longevity, although they are poorly studied because of the depth and remoteness of their natural habitat.
Greenland sharks have the longest lifespan of any known vertebrate, estimated to be between 272 and 510 years. They are among the largest extant shark species, reaching a maximum confirmed length of 6.4 m (21 ft) and weighing more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). They reach sexual maturity around 150 years of age and their pups are born alive after an estimated gestation period of 8 to 18 years. The shark is a generalist feeder, consuming a variety of available foods, including carrion.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Greenland shark” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.