Scientists Suggest Megalodon Sharks Were Once Slimmer And Longer In Size

Giant sharks wreaking havoc in Hollywood movies, residing in the ocean depths and unexpectedly destroying ships, resemble the Megalodon myth. However, recent research debunks the belief in the colossal size of the Megalodon, dismissing it as false.

The Megalodon, extinct for about 3.6 million years, was thinner than portrayed in movies or previously believed by scientists. This revelation not only alters our understanding of Megalodon but also reshapes the narrative of marine animals.

Earlier research, based on fossilised teeth and spine, suggested Megalodon’s length ranged from 50 to 65 feet. However, a recent study challenges this perception, asserting that Megalodon was slimmer and longer than previously believed.

While Megalodon remained a dominant predator in the ancient marine food chain, the recent findings about its slimmer and longer physique suggest potential differences in behaviour. It could have substantial implications for their hunting and feeding methods, challenging previous assumptions about Megalodon’s role in the food chain.

A team of 26 international scientists conducted the study, examining the old fossil record and revealing markedly different results. The slimmer, longer Megalodon resembled a larger version of today’s white shark. With a more extensive digestive area, Megalodon could extract more nutrition, potentially allowing for less frequent feeding and longer-distance travel without the same hunting pressure on other animals in the ecosystem.

Professor John Hutchinson from the Royal Veterinary College, a co-author of the research criticised in the new paper, mentioned that their team reconstructed Megalodon’s body form using great white proportions and dimensions of other sharks. He points out that the new study doesn’t disprove their hypothesis but rather casts doubt on it.

Professor Hutchinson noted that the new study paradoxically relies on great white anatomy comparisons but doesn’t provide alternative estimates for Megalodon’s dimensions. Despite the debate, he emphasised that the essence remains unchanged – Megalodon was an enormous, formidable shark and one of the most fearsome oceanic predators.