Megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived. Scientists estimate that megalodon reached at least 52 feet (16 meters) long. It probably weighed at least 50 tons (45 metric tons). The shark may have reached even larger sizes. Megalodon lived from about 17 million to 2 million years ago. The name megalodon means big tooth. Megalodon is sometimes called the “megatooth shark.”
Megalodon was a powerful predator (hunting animal). Its jaws may have reached about 6 1/2 feet (2 meters) across. Scientists believe it had an exceptionally strong bite. Megalodon’s largest teeth measure about 7 inches (17 centimeters) along their edges. They rank as the largest shark teeth known.
The skeleton of megalodon was made of rubbery tissue called cartilage. Cartilage usually does not form fossils. As a result, most megalodon fossils are of teeth and some vertebrae (sections of the spine). Scientists calculate the size of megalodon by comparing the size of its teeth with those of living sharks, especially the great white shark.
Megalodon fossils have been found on every continent except Antarctica. These fossils suggest that megalodon lived throughout the oceans, except for polar regions. Megalodon fed on whales and probably other large prey. Scientists have found many fossilized whale bones with gouges from megalodon teeth.
Scientists do not know why megalodon became extinct. It was probably caused by a combination of factors. Cooling ocean temperatures and falling sea levels may have contributed to the extinction. These changes may have caused the extinction of some of megalodon’s prey. They also may have driven prey to parts of the ocean where megalodon could not live. Megalodon probably also faced increased competition for prey from other large ocean animals, including killer whales. North Carolina designated the fossilized tooth of a megalodon as the official state fossil in 2013.
