Megalodon
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Megalodon is the largest shark to have ever lived. It is mostly known from giant fossil teeth, but corpolites and vertebral centra are also known. The relative incompleteness of these fossils pose a challenge when estimating size. Historical size estimates have ranged from 13 to 30 metres! Now, most reserachers agree Megalodon could grow to approximately 18 meters; ours is expected to max out at about 15. Megalodon is a hunter of large marine prey, primarily whales. Whale vertebrae have been found with Megalodon teeth embedded in them. When hunting, Megalodon probably focused on flippers and bony parts of the prey to immobilize it or damage orans. Megalodon young may have lived in warmer coastal waters before moving offshore for adulthood. Our Megalodon is still young yet, only about the size of a great white. Currently, she shares a tank with our Carcharocles angustidens in the Neogene section of the aquarium. When they grow big enough, they'll be moved to a larger sea pen. |
Scientific name Location Time Length Diet |