Greenland Sharks Are the Only Known Vertebrates With Confirmed 400-Year Lifespans

The oldest validated bony fish lifespans fall far short of this multi-century record.

While some invertebrates like clams rival or exceed these ages, no other animal with a backbone has been scientifically validated at such a lifespan.

This pushes the upper boundary of vertebrate aging far beyond prior expectations, forcing biologists to reconsider physiological limits once thought fixed.