Megalodon
Megalodon Facts
| Size | 42-60 feet (13-18 meters) |
| Speed | 1.3-2.1 mph (2.1–3.5 km/h) |
| Weight | 12-94 tons |
| Lifespan | Unknown |
| Food | Large marine animals |
| Predators | - |
| Distribution | Europe, Australia, Africa, India, Japan, America |
| Habitat | Warm oceans |
| Order | Lamniformes |
| Family | Lamnidae |
| Scientific name | Carcharocles megalodon |
| Characteristics | Large prehistoric shark; giant mouth; 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) teeth |
Main Characteristics
The megalodon is a prehistoric shark that died out 3.6 million years ago.
Name
Megalodon comes from the Greek “mega” for “big” and “odon” for “tooth”.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
There are numerous rumors regarding the size of the Megalodon, with some suggesting it could have reached lengths of up to 131 feet (40 meters). However, a study conducted in 2025 estimates a more likely maximum length of around 79.7 feet (24.3 meters). If the calculated weight is accurate, it would be impressive, as the Megalodon might have weighed as much as 94 tons. Researchers believe that it was already 11.8-12.8 feet (3.6-3.9 meters) long at the time of its birth.
Teeth
Megalodon teeth were incredibly long. The measuerd 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) in length, which is about the size of a human hand. The teeth were heart-shaped and serrated. Researchers believe that it had a total of 267 teeth in its mouth, divided over several layers. Luckily, animals rarely need to see a dentist.
Jaw
Do you know the Smart car? It’s an extremely compact city car that fits into even the smallest parking spaces. A megalodon’s jaw was slightly bigger than this car: 9.8 feet (3 meters) wide and 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) high!
Diet
Researchers believe that the megalodon ate more than 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) of food each day. The menu mostly consisted of small and large whales e.g. dolphins, sperm whales, bowhead whales, rorquals and porpoises as well as seals and manatees.
What Caused the Extinction of the Megalodon?
A series of unfortunate events led to the extinction of the Megalodon. It all started around 34 million years ago when the Earth began to cool down, which also affected the oceans. The polar regions froze, ocean currents shifted, and sea levels dropped.
Cold Seas
The chilly climate posed a significant challenge for the Megalodon, as it required warm water temperatures to thrive. In colder waters, it struggled to move swiftly, which hindered its ability to catch prey effectively.
Prey Animals Migrated Northward
One likely reason for the extinction of the shark was that its prey moved into the frigid polar regions. The Megalodon was unable to follow them and ultimately starved.
Food Competitors
As the Ice Age began, more shark species evolved that thrived in cold waters, such as the ancestors of the Great White Shark. These sharks became more successful hunters, often snatching prey right from under the Megalodon's nose.
Behavior
Hunting Technique
Although researchers believe that the great white shark is related to the megalodon, the megalodon probably had a different hunting technique. Great whites aim for their prey’s soft flesh e.g. the belly. The megalodon was probably able to bite through cartilage and bone so concentrated on making its prey unable to swim away.
Senses and Abilities
Megalodon's Bite Force
In 2008, a research team from Australia and the USA tried to work out the megalodon’s bite force. They created a computer simulation to work it out. The results were impressive. The megalodon’s bite force must have been ten times stronger than that of the great white shark. This means that megalodons had the strongest bite of any animal that has ever lived.
Worth Knowing
Reality vs. Made-up Stories
There are a few films and books that feature the megalodon. Mostly as a terrifying monster. Some websites even claim to have “evidence” that the megalodon is still alive, tearing around the ocean. But these are photos and videos that have been edited using computer programs to cause a sensation.
Sources:
- „Biology of Otodus megalodon“ (https://palaeo-electronica.org)
