#18: Live Long and Prosper
The Greenland shark, a species found in the frigid waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, is indeed one of the animal kingdom’s most astonishing long-lived creatures. These sharks have a life span that defies expectations, with individuals reaching sexual maturity at a mind-boggling 150 years of age.

What’s even more astounding is that they can live for an estimated 300 to 500 years, making them among the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet. This longevity is a result of their slow metabolism and the cold, oxygen-rich waters they inhabit. While these sharks have an extraordinary ability to adapt to their extreme environment, their prolonged life cycle remains a fascinating and mysterious aspect of marine biology.