Head to head
Lanternshark vs Greenland Shark
Lanternshark
VS Greenland Shark
The lanternshark and Greenland shark are both deep, cold-water sharks, but their size, lifespan, and signature traits could hardly be more different.
| Lanternshark | Greenland Shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Etmopterus spinax | Somniosus microcephalus |
| Relative size | One of the smaller shark species | Among the largest sharks |
| Signature trait | Counter-illumination camouflage | Longest-lived vertebrate known |
| Estimated lifespan | Not specifically documented | Up to roughly 500 years |
| Native range | Northeastern Atlantic, Mediterranean | North Atlantic, Arctic |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Ocean | Polar, ocean |
Lanternshark vs Greenland Shark: common questions
Which is bigger, the lanternshark or the Greenland shark?
The Greenland shark is vastly bigger, among the largest shark species in the world, while the lanternshark is one of the smaller shark species alive.
Why does the lanternshark glow, unlike the Greenland shark?
The lanternshark uses rows of photophores along its belly for counter-illumination camouflage, matching light from above to erase its silhouette, a trait not documented in the much larger Greenland shark.
Is the Greenland shark really the longest-lived vertebrate?
Yes, radiocarbon dating has placed one Greenland shark female at up to 512 years old, making it the longest-lived vertebrate known, far older than any documented lanternshark.