Buzz
Around 23 million to 2.6 million years ago, the megalodon shark (known scientifically as Carcharocles megalodon, or simply 'the Meg') dominated the oceans as one of the largest and most formidable apex predators in history. This colossal creature prowled the seas, leaving destruction in its wake—an unparalleled force of nature.
Thanks to scientists who have meticulously studied Megalodon fossils, we've uncovered more details about this oceanic terror than ever before. However, these revelations are anything but reassuring. The Megalodon was like something straight out of a horror movie.
10. Latest Reports of Sightings
With five vast oceans covering 71 percent of Earth’s surface and holding over 1.3 billion cubic kilometers (312 million mi) of water, it’s hardly surprising that less than ten percent of the world's oceans have been mapped with modern sonar technology. This vast expanse leaves plenty of room for mystery—who knows what creatures might be lurking beneath the waves?
In 1928 and 1933, reports surfaced of a ‘monstrous’ shark measuring over 12 meters (40 ft) in length off the coast of Rangiora, New Zealand, with the same witnesses confirming the sightings both times. A particularly memorable account from 1918 came from Australian naturalist David G. Stead, who spoke with fishermen near Broughten Island, New South Wales. They told him of a shark the size of a blue whale that devoured their crayfish pots, each about 1 meter (3.3 ft) in diameter. As the shark swam past, the water was said to have “boiled over a large space,” leaving the fishermen too terrified to return to the water. Despite these recent reports, experts still assert that the Meg went extinct around 2.6 million years ago.
9. Formidable Hunter
The average megalodon weighed between 50 and 70 tons and stretched roughly 11 to 13 meters (36–43 ft) in length, though the largest specimens may have reached a staggering 100 tons and up to 20 meters (66 ft) long. Regardless of size, the megalodon was an incredibly powerful predator in the water. Imagine a creature the size of a double-decker bus, with razor-sharp teeth, and you get an idea of what the Meg truly was. The Mesozoic Era's Kronosaurus and Liopleurodon were enormous, but they were nowhere near the size of the megalodon, weighing in at a maximum of just 40 tons.
The Meg’s method of killing was savage; unlike other sharks that tend to target the softer areas of their prey, like the underbelly or fins, megalodon could bite clean through bone. One discovered whale fossil revealed compression fractures caused by the Meg ramming its head into the whale's soft belly, stunning it before consuming the creature. Scientists also hypothesize that megalodons may have hunted in packs, which would have given them even greater strength and effectiveness in bringing down their prey.
8. The Moniker ‘Big Tooth’
The term “megalodon” literally means “big tooth,” and the shark certainly earned that title. Its teeth varied in size from 7 to 18 centimeters (3–7 in), and fossil hunters are constantly on the lookout for these prized specimens. Finding an 18-centimeter tooth, however, is a rare occurrence, with only a few ever discovered, and they often sell for tens of thousands of dollars. In comparison, an 8-centimeter (3 in) tooth from the great white shark would be considered a baby tooth next to the Meg’s.
This oceanic giant would shed its teeth frequently, losing as many as 20,000 over its lifetime, often due to the force of biting into prey. Fortunately, it had five rows of teeth, so there was always a backup ready. Most megalodon teeth sold online have been worn down from relentless feeding, a testament to the Meg’s insatiable hunger.
7. Gorging on Humpback Whales
When you're a massive predator, your appetite matches your size. The Meg’s jaws could open to a staggering 3.4 meters by 2.7 meters (11 x 8.9 ft). It would consume prey of all sizes, from smaller animals like dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles, to enormous humpback whales. Thanks to its powerful bite, with a force between 110,000 and 180,000 Newtons, the Meg could inflict serious damage to a whale’s skull.
Fossilized whale bones have been discovered with distinct Megalodon tooth marks, revealing the shark’s feeding habits millions of years ago. Some bones even have the tips of teeth still embedded, likely from when they broke off during a feeding frenzy. In modern times, great white sharks still target humpback whales, but they generally go after calves, sick adults, or those in distress for an easier kill.
6. They Were More Common Than You Think
At the height of their reign, megalodons could be found in oceans across the globe. Fossils of these ancient predators have been unearthed in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, the Canary Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malta, the Grenadines, and India. If there was water and food, you can be sure a Meg lived there.
Megalodons enjoyed a long life span, ranging from 20 to 40 years, though the healthiest and best-nourished individuals lived even longer. Another advantage was their homeothermic nature, allowing them to maintain a consistent body temperature regardless of their surroundings, making the vast oceans their playground. While the possibility of encountering a megalodon today seems unlikely, let’s remember that the Yeti crab was discovered as recently as 2005, when explorers found it 2,200 meters (7,200 ft) beneath the surface in hydrothermal vents. So, never say never.
5. They Lurked in Shallow Waters
It may seem impossible that a creature as massive as the Meg could inhabit anything but the deepest ocean depths, but recent discoveries have revealed that they actually ventured into shallow, coastal waters to give birth. These predators preferred the warmth and safety of these areas for their young.
Researchers from the University of Florida uncovered fossils from a megalodon nursery dating back ten million years, located in Panama. More than 400 fossilized teeth, all from juvenile Megs, were found in the shallows. Other megalodon nurseries have been discovered in the Bone Valley region of Florida and the Calvert Cliffs in Maryland. While the newborn Megs were still sizable, ranging from 2.1 to 4 meters (7–13 ft), they were vulnerable to predators like other sharks. As a newborn, the ocean was a dangerous place, but megalodons did their best to give their offspring a fighting chance.
4. Speed Was Their Strength
Not only was the Meg colossal—it was also extremely fast. In 1926, researcher M. Leriche made a pivotal discovery by unearthing the vertebral column of a single megalodon, which contained 150 vertebral centra. This breakthrough helped scientists understand more about the behavior of this massive shark. The shape of its spine suggested that the Meg could secure its prey in its powerful jaws and then violently shake it from side to side, tearing flesh from bone. This is what made the Meg such a formidable predator in the water—once it had its prey, there was no escape.
Furthermore, thanks to its body structure, the Meg was capable of reaching speeds of at least 32 kilometers per hour (20 mph), an impressive feat given its enormous size. (Its cruising speed was estimated to be around 18 kilometers per hour [11 mph].) Such velocity would have allowed it to outrun many other species. Dr. David Jacoby from the Zoological Society of London stated, “The megalodon was a colossal apex predator that seemed to glide through the oceans at speeds unmatched by any shark species alive today.”
3. The Mega-Debacle
In 2013, when everyone believed it was safe to return to the water, the Discovery Channel aired a mockumentary titled Megalodon: The Monster Shark That Lives. Shown during the popular Shark Week, the program featured “footage” of megalodons, including an “image from WWII archives of a colossal shark with a 64-foot tail-to-dorsal fin span.”
It’s safe to say that the shark enthusiast community was not pleased. American actor Wil Wheaton expressed his frustration, saying:
Last night, Discovery Channel betrayed that trust during its biggest viewing week of the year. Discovery Channel isn’t run by stupid people, and this was not some kind of mistake. Someone made a deliberate choice to present a work of fiction that is more suited for the SyFy channel as a truthful and factual documentary. That is disgusting, and whoever made that decision should be ashamed.
While the mockumentary may have been fabricated, the backlash it caused was definitely genuine.
2. They Were Once Mistaken for Dragons
Back in the 17th century, Danish naturalist Nicholas Steno identified the teeth of the megalodon. Before that, these fossilized teeth were known as “tongue stones” and were believed to have come from dragons or gigantic serpents called “serpent dragons.” It was commonly thought that a dragon would lose the tip of its tongue in battle or death, and that piece would turn to stone. Peasants would collect these so-called tongues, believing they offered protection against snakebites and poisoning.
When Steno revealed that these were megalodon teeth rather than the tongue tips of dragons, it marked the beginning of the end for the myth of dragons ever existing. In their place, even more terrifying creatures were now the focus of concern.
1. They Likely Starved to Death
While no conclusive evidence has pinpointed the exact cause of the megalodon’s extinction, it’s widely believed that their enormous appetite became a problem. About 2.6 million years ago, rapid changes in sea levels had a profound effect on the Meg’s food supply. At this time, a third of all large marine mammals went extinct, and the remaining food sources were taken by smaller, faster predators of the sea. The competition was fierce, and the Meg, requiring vast quantities of prey to sustain itself, struggled to survive.
The Meg’s population reached its peak during the middle of the Miocene Epoch, which spanned from 23 to 5.3 million years ago. It was primarily found near Europe, North America, and the Indian Ocean. However, as they neared extinction during the Pliocene Epoch, around 2.6 million years ago, they began to spread further along the coasts of South America, Asia, and Australia.
