Greenland sharks live for centuries and still see in the deep, debunking the 'blind for life' myth
A 2026 Nature Communications study shows Greenland sharks can live for centuries and retain a functional visual system, overturning the long-standing claim that they are nearly blind due to an eye parasite. Earlier radiocarbon dating suggested lifespans up to ~392 years, but the new work finds preserved retinal tissue and active low-light vision, prompting a rethink of how we understand ultra-long-lived deep-sea animals.
