The megalodon shark (C. megalodon) is considered the largest shark to have ever lived on Earth and one of the largest vertebrate predators in natural history. Megalodon roamed the oceans from about 28 million years ago until approximately 1.6 million years ago, when they completely disappeared during the Pleistocene extinction event.
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Megalodon, as we know, was a giant monster. Some teeth discovered from the fossils of this large predator measure over 17 cm (7 inches) in length, but most are between 3 and 5 inches (still quite large). Reconstruction models based on jaw structures and remaining fossils suggest that their maximum length could have reached 54 feet (16.5 meters), approximately three times that of the great white shark (C. carcharias). In comparison, the Tyrannosaurus rex truly seems “not even close.”
The widespread distribution of fossils, particularly teeth, indicates that they were a species with a broad range across various marine environments, favoring warm and shallow temperate waters. Megalodon sat at the top of the food chain, preying on large creatures such as cetaceans (the ancestors of modern whales and dolphins).
Megalodon, as we know, was a giant monster.
As mentioned, megalodon went extinct around 1.6 million years ago. However, some individuals disagree with this conclusion, believing that they still exist. Unfortunately, some materials (using fictional footage) have convinced many people that megalodon lurks in the ocean. So let’s explore the common arguments and hopefully arrive at a reasonable conclusion.
Firstly, there is no direct evidence to show that megalodon is still alive. We all know: lack of evidence does not mean evidence is absent. This leads to the argument: just because we cannot find evidence that megalodon is still alive does not mean it doesn’t exist.
Looking at it from another perspective, it is very difficult to prove that something does not exist; however, that does not mean megalodon is still roaming somewhere in the ocean.
There are many eyewitness accounts describing giant sharks throughout history, even photographic evidence. One particularly controversial image is a shot featured in a documentary by the Discovery Channel (which is actually fictional) showing the distance from the dorsal fin to the tail fin of a shark next to a submarine, extending up to 64 feet. This image is fake. The material is actually a “mockumentary”—a fictional documentary, which is clarified in a small disclaimer at the end of the film. Furthermore, 64 feet (nearly 20 meters) is well beyond the estimated total length of the megalodon! And this is just from the dorsal fin to the tail fin! The “scientists” appearing in the material titled “Megalodon – The Living Giant Shark” are merely actors. What a shame.
Comparison Chart of Shark Sizes.
Sketches of giant sharks washed ashore many years ago are often exaggerated representations of great white sharks and basking sharks. They cannot be considered as evidence; science does not work that way. Eyewitnesses themselves are not reliable, especially when they see decaying, decomposing animals. To an inexperienced, untrained person, a whale shark or a basking shark can look like a large white shark. This is a common mistake.
Some unexpected scientific discoveries have fueled belief that megalodon still exists; such as the coelacanth and the megamouth shark. The coelacanth is an ancient fish thought to have gone extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period (about 65 million years ago). However, much to the delight of the scientific community, they were discovered in 1938 and again in 1952. Since then, they have been found in various locations around the world. Coelacanths are indeed hard to encounter, as they live at great depths, spending most of their time in caves. Just because we were wrong about coelacanths does not mean megalodon is still alive.
The megamouth shark was discovered in 1976. It is a plankton feeder that can reach lengths of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters), which is quite large. While this does indicate that large shark species can evade radar detection and go unnoticed for many years, it does not mean that megalodon still exists. The megamouth shark is a plankton feeder and swims in deep waters during daylight, making it difficult to find.
Sharks often lose teeth, but we have yet to find any megalodon teeth that show they had recently fallen out.
Another opinion that occasionally arises is whether megalodon is hiding in the deep ocean, escaping our detection. Probably not. Fossil evidence indicates that they preferred shallow, warm waters and lived in areas rich in large prey to sustain their population. They also used coastal areas for breeding. Moreover, there is a hypothesis that one of the factors leading to megalodon’s extinction was the migration of prey to colder depths, which restricted their food supply. They could not adapt to life in the deep water (the truly deep depths make it impossible for us to find them).
Megalodon is huge and requires a ‘diet’ of large creatures.
Furthermore, humans have only explored a tiny portion of the oceans. That is a fact. But the VAST MAJORITY of life beneath the sea exists within the first few hundred meters, where light can penetrate. Below that depth, life becomes extremely harsh, and large animals are very rare. Megalodon is huge and needs a “diet” of large creatures. So could megalodon not be extinct but evolved into a smaller form suitable for life in the deep? And that would no longer be megalodon.
Even if somehow they are hiding in the deep ocean like the giant squid – we have documentary evidence of giant squids. Tentacles and squid carcasses have washed ashore for many years, and films about them have been recorded in recent years. I want to reiterate, megalodon is a giant monster! We would find them if they were truly still alive. They would bite, tear apart large sharks and whales. We would see bite marks, large scars on whales from attacks larger than any known shark. It would be a spectacular sight, but unfortunately, no one will see it.
We believe, and most people believe that megalodon is extinct, but for the few who still believe this species is alive – we hope this article is convincing enough to show you that science proves otherwise.
