The King of Greenland

Ever wonder if there’s a shark that can eat a polar bear and at the same time get eaten by a parasite? Such a shark exists, it’s called the Greenland shark.
Habitat: The Greenland shark is found in the North Atlantic Ocean and in parts of Greenland and Iceland. This shark prefers cold-water temperatures and will usually only ascend from the depths if the surface drops to around 33 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer the Greenland shark inhabits depths of 600 to 2400 feet. This is one of the largest living species of shark of dimensions comparable to those of the Great White shark.
Life cycle:The Greenland shark can live up to 200 years old. They can grow up to 23 feet long and when the sharks are babies they are 90cm long. They weigh 1,000kg (2,200lb) and some can possibly weigh up to 1,400kg (3,100lb). Also called the “sleeper shark,” this species is often inactive and indeed appears to be sleeping. The Greenland shark is often found with a “best friend forever,” a parasitic copepod that lives on the shark’s eye and feasts on its corneal tissue.
Appearance:The Greenland shark’s skin is grey and black and it looks like stone. Its flesh is very poisonous. It is often mistaking by divers as the ocean floor
Diet:The Greenland shark eats polar bears, reindeer and seals. When feeding on large carcasses, the shark employs a rolling motion of its jaw. The teeth of the upper jaw are very thin and pointed, lacking serrations. These upper jaw teeth, numbering from 48 to 52 teeth act as anchor while the lower jaw does the cutting. The lower teeth are interlocking and are broad and square, 50 to 52 in count, containing short, smooth cusps that point outward. Teeth in the two halves of the lower jaw are really powerful.
Other Interesting Facts:The Greenland shark is the largest member of the dogfish family. The Greenland shark was first discovered around the coast of Greenland in 1995. The next time you think about swimming in Greenland, think again!

By Jonathan Dowdall