It's entirely possible that there are Greenland sharks still living today that were swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean at the time.
Some theories include the shark's slow growth rate and low metabolic rate, but research is ongoing.
Scientists hope that unlocking the secrets of how these fish age could help humans live longer, healthier lives.
"We want to look closely at some of these hallmarks to determine if the Greenland shark shows any signs of traditional aging," he said.
While Greenland sharks' remarkable aging process has allowed them to survive centuries, it could also be a double-edged sword as their environment rapidly changes.
Persons:
—, Abigail Adams, Ewan Camplisson, He's, Camplisson, Xavier Desmier
Organizations:
Service, Business, University of Manchester, NOAA, of Ocean Exploration, Geographic, Society for, World Conservation Union
Locations:
Greenland, Ocean