Ancient Megalodon Super-predators Could Swallow A Great White Shark Whole, New Model Reveals

[NamStay]

https://theconversation.com/ancient...at-white-shark-whole-new-model-reveals-188749

In a new 3D modeling study published this week in Science Advances, we show that the giant extinct shark, Otodus megalodon, was a true globetrotting super-predator.

It was capable of covering vast distances in short order and could eat the largest of modern living super-predators, the killer whale, in five gargantuan bites. It could have swallowed a great white shark whole.

The largest shark that ever lived​

Megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived, and it was around for a long time – from around 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. At one time its range was enormous: its fossilized teeth have been found on every continent except Antarctica. These teeth are not hard to recognize if you come across them, as they can be up to 18 centimeters long. Just why this formidable predator went extinct remains a mystery. It could have been linked to global cooling, or competition from other predators such as orcas (killer whales). This is just one of many unanswered questions.

 

[rdog]

https://theconversation.com/ancient...at-white-shark-whole-new-model-reveals-188749

In a new 3D modeling study published this week in Science Advances, we show that the giant extinct shark, Otodus megalodon, was a true globetrotting super-predator.

It was capable of covering vast distances in short order and could eat the largest of modern living super-predators, the killer whale, in five gargantuan bites. It could have swallowed a great white shark whole.

The largest shark that ever lived​

Megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived, and it was around for a long time – from around 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. At one time its range was enormous: its fossilized teeth have been found on every continent except Antarctica. These teeth are not hard to recognize if you come across them, as they can be up to 18 centimeters long. Just why this formidable predator went extinct remains a mystery. It could have been linked to global cooling, or competition from other predators such as orcas (killer whales). This is just one of many unanswered questions.

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We need bigger guns!

 

[geoff rath]

https://theconversation.com/ancient...at-white-shark-whole-new-model-reveals-188749

In a new 3D modeling study published this week in Science Advances, we show that the giant extinct shark, Otodus megalodon, was a true globetrotting super-predator.

It was capable of covering vast distances in short order and could eat the largest of modern living super-predators, the killer whale, in five gargantuan bites. It could have swallowed a great white shark whole.

The largest shark that ever lived​

Megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived, and it was around for a long time – from around 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. At one time its range was enormous: its fossilized teeth have been found on every continent except Antarctica. These teeth are not hard to recognize if you come across them, as they can be up to 18 centimeters long. Just why this formidable predator went extinct remains a mystery. It could have been linked to global cooling, or competition from other predators such as orcas (killer whales). This is just one of many unanswered questions.

View attachment 484517

5Wt fly rod ...

 

[Scott CWO]

Puts a whole new meaning to the phrase, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Glad these giant sharks are gone but it would be cool to see one.

 

[Ngonyama]

And I thought Jaws was big .

 

[Vinootz]

Somewhat eerie how our planet had awesome,gargantuan creatures that are now all gone. Apparently truth to the “meek shall inherit the earth “. It inevitably leaves one to wonder what the fate of humans is.
Will our intelligence sustain us, or will we be our own undoing by it? Aside from a big enough asteroid or the planet belching a series of huge volcanic activity that makes our atmosphere uninhabitable, I always wonder if it may have been disease that did in the dinosaurs, hence maybe humans one day too. If it doesn’t happen in the next 10 years or so I likely won’t have to worry about it though.