He was bigger than a school bus, had teeth like hands, and hunted whales like other sharks hunt fish. The Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) is the most famous extinct marine predator – and its fossil teeth are among the most sought-after natural history collectibles.
Who was the Megalodon?
The Megalodon lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago – from the early Miocene to the late Pliocene. It was not a dinosaur, but a true shark that dominated the oceans long after the dinosaurs. It is estimated to have reached a length of 15 to 20 meters – the largest living great white shark rarely exceeds 6 meters. Its name means: Big Tooth.
What do we know – and what don't we?
Since sharks do not have an ossified skeleton, almost no complete remains have been preserved. What remains are its teeth: up to 18 cm long, triangular, with fine serrations. Its estimated biting force was up to 180,000 Newtons – compared to about 18,000 Newtons for the great white shark.
Why are Megalodon teeth so well preserved?
Shark teeth consist of dentin and enamel – ideal for fossilization. A shark loses thousands of teeth in its lifetime, which is why Megalodon teeth are found worldwide – from the USA to Morocco to Japan. The characteristic dark coloration is caused by minerals in the sediment.
Is the Megalodon really extinct?
Yes. It died out about 3.6 million years ago – due to climate change, declining ocean temperatures, and the reduction of its main prey. Modern oceans are well researched; an animal of this size would have been discovered long ago.
Shark teeth as fossils – fascinating to this day
Even though the Megalodon has long been extinct, shark teeth as fossils continue to fascinate. They are one of the most common and at the same time most impressive fossils ever – and a wonderful example of how nature preserves history in stone.
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