AMAZING FACTS 1//: GREENLAND SHARKS @grich

Whenever you hear the word 'shark' what comes to mind is a big scary devourer which is attracted at the scent of blood. But have you thought of finding out more facts about them apart from their appetite?. Well I just got to find out that there are more than 500 recognized species of sharks, most of which can grow as long as the length of your palm. Today I will be talking about the Greenland Shark.

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The Greenland Shark which belongs to the sleeper sharks family is known to be one of the largest sharks in the world, they are mostly found in cold water regions of the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. They prefer staying in cold waters ranging from 1°c to -10°c which makes them not commonly seen.

4 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT THE GREENLAND SHARKS

Down here are four (4) amazing facts about the Greenland Shark 🦈 that will shock you:

1. GREENLAND SHARKS ARE SUPER HUGE.

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It is interesting to know that the Greenland shark are amongst the largest sharks in the world, whose size can be compared to that of the Great White shark. Studies have shown that they can grow as long as 6.4meters (21 feet) and can weigh 1,000kg (2,100 pounds) that is quite heavy!. " Though a typical Greenland Shark weights about 400kg (880 pounds) and is around 2.44 to 4.8meters long (18 to 15.7 feet)" ^Source

2. THE MEAT OF A GREENLAND SHARK IS VERY POISONOUS.

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With their size you would want to know how tasty they can be, but you might want to pause and have a second thought, cause the meat from a Greenland shark "can cause symptoms similar to severe inebriation, this toxicity is due to trimethylamine oxide (TMAO)" ^Source in the tissue of the fish flesh, which helps to stabilize it's "enzymes and structural proteins against the weakening effects of severe cold and high water pressure" ^Source . But no need to worry, the meat of the Greenland shark can be prepared through fermentation which removes the TMAO, the meat of the shark is being hunged for about 4-5 months, thereby removing the adverse effects of the neurotoxins. The dish prepared from this meat is a national dish in Iceland known as Hákarl or kæstur hákarl.

3. GREENLAND SHARKS ARE GREAT DIVERS.

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The main reason why these sharks are not frequently seen is because of their ability to dive to extreme depts "researcher's have recorded them as going as far as 2,200meters deep into the ocean." ^Source

4. GREENLAND SHARKS ARE THE LONGEST VERTEBRATES ON EARTH.

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From analysis, scientist have discovered the possibilities that these sharks can live up to 400 years or more! "Age estimate of the two biggest sharks studied by them (scientist) place them at around 335 to 392 years of age. Analysis of the sharks tissue indicates that "the life span of a Greenland shark ranges between 252 and 512 years, with 390 being the likest average" ^Source

CONCLUSION

note also that these big fishes do not reach sexual maturity till they are 150 years. They are OVOVIVIPAROUS in nature, meaning that they retain eggs within their body until they hatch.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, see you later on the next article of amazing facts.