The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), also known as the gurry shark, grey shark, or by the Kalaallisut name eqalussuaq, is a large shark of the family Somniosidae ("sleeper sharks"), closely related to the Pacific and southern sleeper sharks. The Greenland shark is a member of the sleeper shark family closely related to the Southern and Pacific sleeper shark. If you visit the polar regions in search of sharks, you might see the Greenland sleeper shark or the black dogfish shark. It is also the longest-living vertebrate animal with a life expectancy of at least 272 years. Greenland shark facts, information, pictures and video. The species is commonly found in cold environments, especially the waters of Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, from the Baffin Bay to the Barents Sea. Interestingly enough, Greenland sharks are the only species that consistently live in these arctic and sub-arctic temperature waters. The Greenland shark is the second largest carnivorous shark after the great white and it is the largest Arctic fish. To be more specific it lives of the North Atlantic, from the Arctic Ocean to Cape Cod, the gulf of St Laurence to the Ellesmere Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, the North Sea and the White Sea. Greenland sharks inhabit freezing waters with temperatures between -2 and 7 degrees Celsius. Quick facts about the longest living marine vertebrate! The Greenland shark is an amazing creature that lives in Arctic waters. It falls into the group of sleeper sharks or Somniosidae, in the order of Squaliformes. Sharks are very good at adapting to new situations and environments which is why they have survived in the water for millions of years. Like many creatures of the deep seas, little is known about the biology of the Greenland shark. The habitat of a shark depends on the species though. They call it “eqalussuaq”. Though both large and predatory, this species is not known to be particularly aggressive and is thought to be fairly sluggish in the cold waters of the north Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from the Arctic Ocean and Northern Europe to … Scientific name of the animal is Somniosus microcephalus. Sharks easily Adapt. Facts Summary: The Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "fishes" and found in the following area(s): Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Norway, Russia.This species is also known by the following name(s): Gurry Shark, Large Sleeper Shark. Sharks are cold blooded, and that would usually imply that they would search for areas where the temperatures are very cold. It is the longest-living vertebrate known and can live for approximately 300-500 years. Greenland shark is a massive fish that lives in the sub-arctic waters of North Atlantic Ocean. Learn about this mysterious underwater giant with our in-depth guide … You can learn more about the Arctic here: Arctic Facts See more Arctic and subarctic animals here: Arctic Animals List Secretive and elusive, the world of the Greenland shark is still a mystery to scientists. Reaching lengths of 24 feet (7.3 m) and weights of 2200 pounds (1000 kg), the Greenland shark is one of the largest sharks in the ocean. The shark plays an important role in Inuit culture and mythology. Greenland shark facts! Habitat. The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus, gurry shark). They are rarely seen and difficult to study in the seas usually being caught as a by-catch by trawlers or sometimes caught as a target species, though less so now than in the past when they were heavily fished for their liver oil for lamp fuel and as a lubricant. Greenland shark facts Basics. The distribution of this species is mostly restricted to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean. 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