🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Many large shark species reach sexual maturity only after more than a decade of growth.
Although precise data are limited, scientists estimate that megamouth sharks likely live for several decades, similar to other large shark species. Slow growth and late maturity are typical traits of deep-sea and large-bodied sharks.
💥 Impact (click to read)
A creature so rarely observed may spend half a century traversing ocean basins without a single documented human encounter. That longevity combined with rarity amplifies the mystery surrounding its life history.
Long lifespans paired with low reproductive rates create vulnerability to environmental change. Even minimal fishing pressure or ecosystem disruption could have outsized impacts on a species that replaces itself slowly.
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