Prehistoric Jaws: Carcharodon Megalodon
Some information on the prehistoric Megalodon.
Image via Wikipedia
Carcharodon Megalodon or Mega-tooth shark appeared during the Miocene and may have disappeared around 11,000 years ago. This shark could easily grow to 60 feet, weighting in at 60,000 tons and with teeth 8 inches long. Teeth can be found in North and South America, Europe, Australia, India, Japan, and Africa. Making scientists believe that they inhabited warmer waters.
It is believed that they preyed on whales because scientists have found bite marks that resemble that of Megalodon are found on the bones of ancient whales. It is also believed that they probably hunted their prey just like a Great White would hunt today, stalking their prey from down deep and then going full speed up to deliver a powerful bite.
Image via Wikipedia
It is believed that they went extincted because of tempurature in the oceans making them colder and that the Megalodon could not stand those colder tempurature’s. Also some scientists believe that they could have gone extinct because their prefer food choice whales started to migrate to colder waters where they could not follow.
Image via Wikipedia
Some scientist also believe that the shark may still exist and that we just haven’t seen it or found anything to prove that it is still alive. They believe that it may have gone deep to where there are vents along the sea floor keeping the water warm. They also say that because of the fact that Sperm whales (who reach 60 feet) are able to find the food that they need way down deep that there must be enough food to keep a Megalodon alive and well.
Supposedly there have been several sightings of these sharks. Such as a sighting in 1918 by several experianced commercial crayfishermen of a large 100 foot shark. Or another sighting in the 1960’s along the outer edges of the Great Barrier reef where an 85 foot boat had engine trouble’s and had to anchor down for repairs, the crew didn’t want to report what they saw for fear of public ridicule but later told friends and family that they had seen an immense shark that was as big as if not bigger than their ship.
Liked it















2 Responses to “Prehistoric Jaws: Carcharodon Megalodon”
On October 18, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Sharks are scary creatures. I wouldn’t want tof ace one.Thanks for the info.
On October 21, 2009 at 8:34 am
Very interesting article and another great write! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to reading more!
Post Comment