According to the latest findings, the existence of megalodon is confirmed by fossil records, even though they went extinct long ago. Despite their extinction, numerous intriguing questions about these ancient giants remain.
The mighty megalodon is known as one of the largest sharks to have ever existed. As an apex predator of prehistoric times, it dominated the seas and left a trail of teeth on ocean floors, until it went extinct around a few million years ago.
Even though they vanished long before our time, megalodons continue to captivate our imaginations. Here’s what you need to know about this ancient superpredator, which dwarfed today’s great whites and killer whales.
Megalodon Facts: What is a Megalodon?
The megalodon, a colossal ancient shark species, has fascinated both scientists and the public. Often imagined as a giant version of the great white shark, megalodons actually belong to a different lineage—the now-extinct megatooth sharks.
Are Megalodons Real?
Despite seeming like a product of wild aquatic fantasies, megalodons were indeed real. These formidable predators once ruled prehistoric waters, leaving behind a legacy primarily in the form of enormous teeth scattered across ocean floors worldwide.
What Did a Megalodon Look Like?
According to the Natural History Museum, megalodons likely had a shorter snout, longer pectoral fins, and a wider jaw compared to modern sharks, capable of swallowing two adult humans side by side.
How Big is a Megalodon?
The largest megalodons could grow up to 60 feet in length, comparable to a six-story building if stood upright. This dwarfs a city bus and nearly rivals the blue whale, which can reach up to 90 feet.
A 2022 study, a collaboration between international researchers and the University of Zurich, used a well-preserved section of a megalodon’s vertebral column to create a 3D model of this superpredator.
How Fast Could a Megalodon Swim?
Their 16-meter (around 52-foot) model weighed over 60 tons. Despite its massive size, the megalodon was swift in the water, capable of swimming at 1.4 meters per second.
Where Did Megalodon Live?
During their time, megalodons were cosmopolitan, inhabiting all corners of the Earth’s oceans except the polar regions, preferring warmer waters.
How Do We Know Megalodons Were Real?
Their existence is confirmed by their teeth. Megalodon teeth, because of their widespread distribution, have been found on every continent except Antarctica.
How Big is a Megalodon Tooth?
Prehistoric Megalodon Shark Tooth (left) and Two Great White Shark Teeth (right)
Megalodons are famous for their giant teeth, with individual teeth measuring up to seven inches long, roughly the size of a human hand. These teeth provide crucial insights into the lives of megalodons.
How Many Teeth Did a Megalodon Have?
A megalodon’s jaw contained about 276 sharp, serrated teeth, perfect for devouring marine mammals. These teeth are the primary means by which scientists study their feeding habits, preferred diet, and body size.
What Did Megalodons Eat?
Megalodon Shark Hunts Dolphins Underwater
Megalodons required over 98,000 kilocalories daily and could hold nearly 10,000 liters of content in their stomachs. They fed on diverse prey, including whales, dolphins, and seals. Researchers have found megalodon bite marks and teeth embedded in whale bones.
Why Did the Megalodon Go Extinct?
Megalodons likely went extinct around 2.6 million years ago due to a combination of factors, including global cooling and the resultant decline in their primary prey. Competition with other predators like the great white shark also contributed.
Is the Megalodon Still Alive?
Despite speculations fueled by summer blockbusters like The Meg, scientists assert that if megalodons were still around, their bite marks and fresh teeth would be evident. Their survival in icy ocean depths is highly unlikely, as it contradicts the characteristics that defined them.