2023-07-14 14:14:44
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Enormous size, huge teeth: there are a number of myths surrounding the megalodon. Particularly large teeth of the primeval shark were found in Florida.
Venice – The size of these basking sharks is impressive: the megalodon was 16 to 20 meters long, researchers estimate. The megalodon was probably the largest shark in world history. However, it has been extinct for several million years. A diver found remains of the prehistoric shark, but not in the North Sea, but off the coast of Florida. And he discovered not just one, but two well-preserved teeth. A sensation for the finder, especially because of the size of the teeth of around 15 centimeters.
Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) 10.3 to 3.6 or 2.6 million years maximum 16 to 20 meters 12 to 18 centimeters 2.5 by 3 meters 109 to 182 kilonewtons in warm ocean layers worldwide
Diver probably finds megalodon teeth: “I couldn’t believe it”
The man, named Michael Nastasio, said he was “a treasure hunter at heart”. He reports to the US online portal The Statethat he searches for fossils in the ocean “eight days a week”. The feeling of finding something cool never gets boring. When he recently found the giant shark tooth near Venice, Florida, it was incredible. Venice is on the Mexican Gulf.
A collector holds a megalodon tooth in his hands. The basking shark lived millions of years ago. © Douglas R. Clifford/imago
“It just stared at me like, ‘Hello!’ accept. I couldn’t believe it,” Nastasio told the news portal. “I was already on cloud nine. When I found the second one and it was complete, it blew my mind. “After all, he’s the first person to touch them when they’re found. Shark teeth are common in Venice, explains Nastasio. Parts of the megalodon teeth are much rarer – especially in this size. Such large teeth are sometimes traded online for more than 1000 euros.
The dentition and size of the megalodon
Megalodon teeth are 12 to 18 centimeters long. The whole set of teeth is often described as the size of a small car. The basking shark is said to have been up to 20 meters long – but so far only teeth and vertebrae have been found as evidence of the prehistoric shark. The exact physique can therefore only be approximately reconstructed. These reconstructions suggest that its bite force was ten times that of the great white shark that exists today.
Is the megalodon really extinct?
There are always supposed sightings and rumors that the megalodon would still live in the deep ocean. According to experts, its anatomy would not allow this, as it was adapted to life in the upper layers of warm seas. It is considered certain that the primeval shark is extinct. Not a megalodon, though Dutch fishermen recently caught another basking shark weighing 200 kilograms.
This is what the extinct Megalodon could have looked like compared to humans © Catmando/imago
However, there are several action and horror films that toy with the idea that the basking shark might still exist. In 2018, “Meg” starring Jason Statham was released, as well as the rip-off film “Megalodon – The Beast From Below”. There is also a monster truck toy for kids called Megalodon that looks like a shark with wheels. (anki)
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