Megalodon

The megalodon is believed to be the largest shark that ever roamed the Earth's waters. The now-extinct marine predator is known for having teeth that were as big as a human hand. Researchers have so far relied on fossils of the megalodon to enhance their knowledge on the creature. However, an entire fossil of a megalodon has not yet been discovered. To plug the gap, researchers have now created a 3D computer model of the megalodon shark using a well-preserved specimen. With this, they concluded that the shark could…

The fearsome megalodon (Otodus megalodon) was a giant shark that once ruled the world's oceans, millions of years ago. Fearsome reputation aside, the famous predator left very little trace of its existence.New research on an exceptionally well-preserved fossil has now given us the first 3D model of the extinct fish, one that tells us it could cruise at speeds faster than any shark in the ocean today.Moreover, it was so large, scientists have found, that it could devour in just five bites whole prey the size of today's…

New 3D model shows that megalodon could eat prey the size of entire killer whales. Credit: J. J. GiraldoMegalodon, the largest shark that ever lived, is famous for its gigantic, human-hand-sized teeth. However, there is little fossil evidence of its whole body. International researchers in collaboration with the University of Zurich used an exceptionally preserved specimen to create a 3D computer model of its full body. According to their results, the megalodon could fully consume prey the size of today’s killer whales…

Towner with a great white shark carcass.Photo: Hennie Otto / Dyer Island Conservation TrustTwo orcas named Port and Starboard seem to have developed a taste for great white sharks. Since 2017, eight great white sharks have washed ashore in South Africa, with signs of having been attacked by orcas. Seven of the sharks—typically apex predators—were missing their livers, and some didn’t have their hearts anymore.The sharks’ wounds, as well as recorded sightings of the two orcas, indicated to a team of researchers that Port…

The fearsome megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived, possibly growing up to 20 meters (66 feet) in length, with teeth the size of a human hand. New research analyzing teeth from this ancient creature has revealed that the megalodon was the most apex of apex predators.  By studying the levels of nitrogen isotopes present in cells, scientists can figure out where a creature was in the food chain – because of the way the nitrogen is processed and excreted, nitrogen-15 builds up the higher in the food chain you…

A team led by Jeremy McCormack at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has found evidence that competition with great white sharks may have contributed to the extinction of the megalodon, the largest shark that ever lived. Living in oceans all over the world 23 to 3.6 million years ago, Otodus megalodon and other megatooth sharks grew to lengths of up to 20 m (65 ft) and weighed up to 103 tonnes, making them arguably the most powerful predators in history. By contrast, the famous great white shark only…

Megalodon. The very name conjures awe: A giant shark that once dominated the world's oceans, big enough to swallow a human whole. Such a beast – known only from teeth and vertebrae that survived the 3.6 million years since it went extinct – must have been fearsome indeed.  It was one of the largest carnivores ever to have lived… and yet, there is one predator still living today whose very existence may have brought the mighty megalodon (Otodus megalodon) to its fins: the great white shark  (Carcharodon carcharias).Recent…

Researchers analyzed zinc isotopes in teeth and discovered that great white sharks make have contributed to the extinction of megalodon.Scientists investigated the diet of megalodon, the largest shark to have ever lived, using zinc isotopes.In a new study, researchers compared how high up the food chain megalodon and great white sharks feed, by analyzing the zinc stable isotope ratios in their teeth. They found that there was likely overlap in the prey of both species, and therefore, dietary competition with great white…

A hunt gone wrong! Artistic reconstruction of Otodus megalodon feeding upon an ancient swordfish ~11 – 3.7 million years ago. A puncture injury to the tooth gum such as this may have caused gemination of the developing tooth buds. Credit: Jorge GonzalezDid the world’s largest prehistoric shark need an orthodontist, or did it just have a bad lunch?Researchers from <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>North Carolina State…