Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Squaliformes
- Family
- Somniosidae
- Genus
- Somniosus
- Species
- microcephalus
Habitat
Greenland sharks primarily inhabit the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, from shallow coastal areas to depths exceeding 2,000 meters. They prefer fjords, continental shelves, and deep-sea environments in regions like Greenland, Iceland, and Canada, where water temperatures remain below 10°C.
Diet
Greenland sharks are opportunistic predators and scavengers, feeding on fish such as cod and halibut, marine mammals like seals and squid, and even carrion including whale carcasses. They hunt or scavenge at various depths, often in low-light conditions, and are known to consume unusual items like polar bears or reindeer that fall through ice.
Behavior
Greenland sharks are solitary and slow-swimming, often cruising at speeds of less than 2 mph in deep, cold waters. They exhibit biofluorescence, which may aid in communication or hunting in dark environments, and are generally inactive during the day, becoming more active at night. They show little territorial behavior and can migrate long distances following food sources.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.