somnios

Somnios is a genus of sleeper sharks belonging to the family Somniosidae. These sharks are characterized by their stout bodies, short snouts, and large, often greenish eyes. They are typically found in deep, cold waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans.

Species within the genus Somnios vary in size, but many are large, with some individuals reaching lengths of several meters. They are slow-moving predators and scavengers, feeding on fish, squid, and marine mammals. Due to their deep-sea habitat, much about their behavior and life cycle remains poorly understood.

The most well-known species is likely Somniosus microcephalus, the Greenland shark, which is renowned for its extremely long lifespan, estimated to be hundreds of years. This species is also known for its sluggish nature and its ability to inhabit very cold waters. Other species include Somniosus pacificus, the Pacific sleeper shark, and Somniosus antarcticus, the southern sleeper shark.

The flesh of some somnios species, particularly the Greenland shark, is toxic if consumed without proper preparation due to the presence of urea and trimethylamine oxide. However, it has been a traditional food source in some Arctic communities after being fermented or dried to remove these compounds. Conservation status for most somnios species is not well-established, but concerns exist regarding their slow growth rates and potential susceptibility to overfishing or habitat degradation.