The Greenland shark has captured our imagination much like a few other remarkable creatures, such as the immortal jellyfish or the ancient bristlecone pine. Its story typically goes something like this: these sharks can live for centuries, with some believed to have been born in the time of Isaac Newton. Alongside this fascinating claim comes a less flattering notion—that these sharks are functional blind due to a pesky parasite.
While the idea of their long lifespan is credible, the claim about their blindness has just taken a turn for the more intriguing.
The 2016 Study: What We Learned
The longevity of the Greenland shark was largely backed by a 2016 study from researchers at the University of Copenhagen. They used radiocarbon dating on the eye lenses of 28 female sharks, uncovering that some individuals could be over 300 years old. Notably, the oldest sharks in their sample were estimated to be about 392 years old, with some born in the 1600s or 1700s. However, it’s essential to note that the exact upper limit of their lifespan is still uncertain.
The claim of their blindness originated from research done in the 1990s and 2000s about a copepod parasite that attaches to the shark’s cornea. Early studies suggested that this could lead to vision impairment or even blindness. Yet, this “possibly” morphed into the common belief that these sharks are entirely blind.
New Insights: The 2026 Findings
Fast forward to 2026, a new study led by researchers from the University of Basel and UC Irvine changed the narrative. They discovered that Greenland sharks actually possess a healthy visual system suited for low-light conditions. Their examination revealed no signs of retinal degeneration, indicating the sharks can process light effectively over their long lives.
Interestingly, one leading researcher, Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, was inspired to explore this through a simple video clip of a Greenland shark tracking a light source. This observation led her to conclude that if a shark can move its eye to follow light, something visual is at work.
So, while the parasite does exist and can harm the cornea, it doesn’t mean the shark is entirely blind. In fact, the species has evolved to maintain its eye function over centuries.
The Narrative Shift
When we look back at how we’ve talked about creatures like the Greenland shark, a pattern emerges. Long-lived animals often get wrapped in narratives filled with tragedy or melancholy—like a lonely shark drifting through the dark Arctic waters. These stories reflect human projections rather than the actual experiences of these creatures, which we can’t fully comprehend.
Instead of framing these sharks as blind, ancient beings, we should consider the more compelling question: how does a creature maintain its visual function for so long? The recent findings hint at biological mechanisms that enable this preservation, but many details remain unexplored.
A Note on Misconceptions
The “blindness” myth persisted for about thirty years before anyone scrutinized it closely. Over time, qualifiers in research were dropped, solidifying this misconception as fact. This isn’t unusual; unverified claims often become accepted truths, especially about creatures that many people will never encounter.
The Greenland shark continues to exist, still old and slow, navigating through murky waters. However, the narrative we’ve held about its life is now more balanced—showcasing it as an animal that not only survives but thrives, even if it has to cope with parasites.
For continued reading on the fascinating world of marine life, check out reputable sources like National Geographic or the latest research published in scientific journals.
