The Giant Shark of Prehistory
Megalodon was a massive shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago during the Cenozoic era.
| Meaning | Big tooth [Megal–odon] |
| Pronunciation | MEG-ah-lo-don |
| When: | Miocene to Pliocene (about 23–3.6 million years ago) |
| Where: | Worldwide (oceans) |
| What: | Cartilaginous fish (giant shark) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 50 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 18 meters (59 feet) |
| Diet: | Carnivorous (ate marine mammals, fish, and other sharks) |
| Discovered: | First described by Louis Agassiz in 1843 |
It is considered one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever existed, with estimates suggesting it could reach lengths of up to 18 meters (59 feet) or more.
Megalodon had a robust, conical-shaped teeth that could grow up to 17 centimeters (7 inches) long, designed for gripping and tearing prey such as whales and other large marine mammals.
Fossils of Megalodon teeth and vertebrae have been found worldwide, providing clues about its size, diet, and lifestyle.
Despite its extinction millions of years ago, Megalodon continues to capture the imagination as one of the most formidable creatures to have roamed the oceans.