A groundbreaking genomic study on Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) may hold the key to understanding why these massive creatures live for centuries without succumbing to cancer. Reaching lengths of over 6 meters and weighing a tonne, these slow-moving deep dwellers have long been shrouded in mystery due to their dark, cold habitats. The study reveals that Greenland sharks don’t reach sexual maturity until they’re 150 years old, with estimates suggesting their lifespan could be up to 400 years – making them the longest-living vertebrates known to science.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2470736-the-secret-of-how-greenland-sharks-can-live-cancer-free-for-400-years