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Greenland Shark

Somniosus microcephalus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the ocean's longest-living vertebrate, a ghost of the Arctic depths that can live for over four centuries. The Greenland shark is a master of survival in the coldest waters on Earth, moving with a slow, hypnotic grace through the dark.

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Quick Identification

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Size

2.4–7.3 metres (8–24 feet) in length; weighing up to 1,400 kg (3,100 lbs)

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Colors

Uniformly dark brown, slate grey, or purplish-black, sometimes with faint white spots or dark bands on the flanks

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Key Features

Small dorsal fins without spines
Short, rounded snout with tiny, often cloudy eyes
Rough, sandpaper-like skin with dermal denticles
Large, heavy body with a sluggish, slow-moving appearance

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours Continuous activity throughout the 24-hour cycle

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Season Year-round, though more common in shallower waters during winter

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Diet A generalist scavenger and predator that eats cod, halibut, rays, other sharks, and marine mammals like seals or even drowned caribou.

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Habitat Deep, cold arctic waters; often found at the bottom of the continental shelf or in deep fjords.

Behavior

The Greenland shark is often referred to as the 'sleeper shark' due to its incredibly slow swimming speed and perceived lethargy. Moving at an average speed of less than 1 mph, it is one of the slowest-swimming fish in the world. Despite this, they are apex predators and efficient scavengers, capable of capturing much faster prey like seals by sneaking up on them while they sleep. They are mostly solitary, navigating the dark, frigid depths of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans.

Interactions with humans are extremely rare due to the shark's preference for deep, cold water. They are known for their extreme longevity, with some individuals estimated to be over 400 years old. This slow pace of life extends to their metabolism and reproduction; they do not reach sexual maturity until they are about 150 years old. While not aggressive toward humans, their massive size and opportunistic feeding habits make them a formidable presence in the deep sea.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Greenland shark on camera is a significant challenge that requires specialized deep-sea equipment rather than a standard backyard trail cam. For those living in Arctic coastal regions or near deep fjords, the best method is using a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system. Using oily fish like mackerel, herring, or seal blubber as a lure is highly effective, as these sharks have an incredibly keen sense of smell and will follow a scent trail for kilometers through the darkness.

Because of the extreme depths—often exceeding 500 meters—your camera must be housed in a pressure-resistant casing rated for deep-sea environments. Standard waterproof housings will implode at these depths. Additionally, since the deep ocean is pitch black, high-powered LED arrays are essential. However, keep the light's intensity in mind; while Greenland sharks are often nearly blind due to parasitic copepods attached to their eyes, sudden bright light can still wash out the image on their highly reflective, rough skin.

For the best footage, mount your camera to a weighted rig or a benthic lander that sits firmly on the ocean floor. Aim the camera horizontally across a 'bait arm' to ensure the shark passes through the focal plane when it investigates the lure. In shallower Arctic regions during winter, you might find success lowering a camera through a hole in the sea ice, but be prepared for slow action. These sharks move at a glacial pace, and it may take hours or even days for one to arrive at your lens.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Greenland Shark.

Pacific Sleeper Shark

Nearly identical in appearance but found in the North Pacific; has slightly different mitochondrial DNA and tooth shapes.

Basking Shark

Much larger with a massive mouth used for filter feeding, whereas the Greenland shark has a short snout and is a predator/scavenger.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Greenland shark are active day and night. Because they live in deep or Arctic waters where light is minimal or absent for half the year, they do not follow a typical circadian rhythm and hunt whenever opportunities arise.

The most effective way to attract a Greenland shark is by using strong-smelling oily bait like mackerel or seal meat attached to a deep-sea camera rig. Their sense of smell is their primary tool for navigating and finding food in the dark.

They are opportunistic feeders that eat a variety of fish, including cod and eels, as well as marine mammals like seals. They are also famous scavengers, frequently feeding on whale carcasses and other carrion.

No, Greenland shark are exclusively marine animals found in the deep, cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic. They are never found in suburban or freshwater environments.

Greenland sharks and Pacific sleeper sharks are very similar, but they are mostly separated by geography. Greenland sharks have slightly different tooth structures and are typically found in the North Atlantic, while Pacific sleepers inhabit the North Pacific.

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