Facts about Greenland Sharks
The Greenland shark, Somniosus microcephalus is a large shark. Lifespan of the greenland sharks may be as long as 200 years. The shark's "origin" comes to a legend, refering to an old woman that washed her hair with urine, and the gray cloth she used to dry it blown away after, becoming the first Greenland shark. This shark is native to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean around Greenland and Iceland. The Greenland shark is also known as the sleeper shark, gurry shark, ground shark, grey shark and Skalugsuak. These sharks live further north than any other species. Greenland sharks are deep-water sharks, living at depths up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Greenland sharks are even cannibalistic, eating each other, because they are immune to each other's toxic flesh. They are closely related to the Pacific sleeper shark. The stomachs of a few Greenland sharks have even been found to contain pieces from reindeer, horses, and even parts of a polar bear. They feed on agile prey such as fish, and on mammals like seals. The copepod is a whitish-yellow creature that is said to be bioluminescent and possibly serves the symbiotic function of attracting prey for the shark, like a fishing lure. Studies show the Greenland shark could probably detect light from darkness. Reproduction of these sharks is ovoviviparity. |
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