Shark Experts Reveal That We Have Seriously Been Underestimating This Shark Species

When it comes to sharks, each species has their strengths. Whether it is their massive size, impressive jaws, or specialized tails, they all have something that works for them. Additionally, many of them have weaknesses. However, shark experts have now revealed that one shark species may not have as big a weakness as we previously thought. Turns out we have all been seriously underestimating this shark species.

Learn Why We Have Been Underestimating This Shark Species

While the Greenland shark is a more elusive species of shark, scientists have still been studying it for years. One thing that they thought they knew for certain was that the Greenland shark had poor eyesight. No one was terribly surprised given their moldy-like appearance. However, new research has begun to suggest that a particular belief was incorrect.

Discover Wildlife shared that the Greenland shark is the “longest-lived vertebrate on the planet.” Additionally, scientists have believed that this creature was nearly blind. However, they did not come up with this hypothesis out of nowhere. Instead, they believed the poor eyesight had to do with their incredibly long lifespan.

Many of these sharks can live up to 400 years old. As they age, “little tassel-like parasites hook onto the front of their eyes.” Scientists assumed that those parasites would have affected the shark’s vision. Alas, it appears we have greatly underestimated this shark species, and the opposite seems to be true.

Greenland Sharks Have Great Eyesight?

The outlet shared that many scientists worked together to examine the Greenland shark’s eyes. What they found contradicted previous beliefs. Instead of finding nearly blind sharks, these scientists discovered that the “eyes and retinas are actually intact and highly specialized for life in very dim light.”

Additionally, despite some of the sharks‘ advanced age, their eyesight still seemed to be great. “Even in individuals over a century old, the cells and molecular machinery needed for vision are still there and look healthy.” These new findings just go to show that we should be careful when underestimating any shark species.

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