Massive Prehistoric Shark More Svelte Than Scientists Once Thought

The megalodon has always been thought of as the biggest, fiercest shark in prehistoric times. And the 2018 sci-fi movie “The Meg” only enhanced that image. Now, a study confirms the sheer size of the ocean creature.   

The megalodon ruled oceans 15 million to 3.5 million years ago. Now, new research reports that it was over three times the size of today’s great white shark. It was published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica.  

The study helps confirm the idea that the megalodon was much more than a massive version of today's great white shark, expert Phillip Sternes told Phys.org. Sternes is an educator at SeaWorld San Diego. Sternes is also a researcher on the study. The study looked at many other physical traits of the ancient shark. Those included the shark’s teeth and vertebrae.

"Megalodon" means megatooth shark. It likely grew to a max size of 80 feet in length. That’s roughly the size of two school buses. Yet, experts also think the ancient shark-like creature likely was more slender than today’s great white. They believe it looked more like the modern great lemon shark.

Scientists haven't been able to firmly conclude the size of the megalodon. No complete fossil of the mammoth shark has been found. Former studies have compared it to the great white shark. That's because both have large, serrated teeth. But new studies suggest that other sharks might be closer versions. The newer studies looked at growth patterns of fossil records stored in Belgium and elsewhere. 

Fossil records, along with growth patterns, also suggest that the rise of the great white perhaps led to the demise of the megalodon due to competition, the scientists said.  

Reflect: If you could discover the fossil of any prehistoric creature, which one would you choose and why?