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When did the MEGALodon shark become extinct, and why? – Landon, age 10
Imagine travel again in time and monitor the oceans 5 million years ago.
While standing on an old coastline, you see many small whales in the distance, and slips on the old sea.
Suddenly, without warning, a huge creature erupts from the depths.
With its huge jaws, the monster crushes a whale and drags it deep. I cut large pieces of the body and swallow them all. The rest of the whales are scattered.
I just saw a meal for Megalodon – officially known as the name Otodus Megalodon The largest shark ever.
About Megalodon
As a scientist Who studies sharks and other ocean types, I am fascinated by the wonderful marine animals that have appeared and disappeared through the EONS.
This includes huge reptiles for swimming, such as Ichthyosaursand PleSiosaurs and Mosaic. Long live these amazing predators during the time of dinosaurs. Megalodon will not appear for another 50 million years.
But when I reached the scene, about 15 million to 20 million years ago, Megalodon should have been an incredible scene.
The weight of an individual fully grew about 50 metric tons – more than 110,000 pounds (50,000 km) – and it was 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters). This animal was longer than a school and heavy bus like a railway!
Its jaws were up to 10 feet (3 meters), and the teeth reached 7 inches (17.8 cm) Sting It was 40,000 pounds per square inch (2800 kg per square centimeter).
Not surprisingly, Migalodon ate great prey. Scientists know this because they found Megalodon’s teeth chips included in the bones of large marine animals. In the list, along with whales: large fish, seals, sea black, dolphins and other sharks.
Are scientists sure that Migalodon has become extinct?
Internet rumors continue to have Meglodon in the modern era-that they are still swimming in today’s oceans.
But this is not true. Megalodons has become extinct. They have died about 3.5 million years ago.
Scientists know this because, again, they looked at the teeth. All sharks – including megalodons – produce and eventually lose tens of thousands of teeth throughout their lives.
This means many of these missing teeth Megalodon They are located as Dakhiyat. Some were found at the bottom of the ocean. I am free Wash it on the beach.
But no Megalodon’s teeth found less than 3.5 million years old. This is one of the reasons why scientists believe that Migalodon has become extinct after that.
Moreover, Megalodons spent most of their time near the beach, the place where they found prey easily.
So if Migalodon is still in place, it is certain that people were seeing them. They were too big to miss. We will have a lot of photos and videos.
Why did Megalodon disappear?
Perhaps there was no single thing that led to the extinction of this amazing megapredator, but a complex mix of challenges.
First, the climate changes significantly. The global water temperature decreased. This reduced the area where Megaloodon can flourish, shark with warm water.
Second, due to the changing climate, the entire species that disappeared Megalodon disappeared forever.
At the same time, the competitors helped pushing Megalodon to extinction – including Great white shark. Although they were only a third of the size of Megalodon, the great eggs may have ate some of the same prey.
Then there was Classic sperm whalesType of completion of the sperm whale. He grew like Mealodon and they had larger teeth. They were also warm. This means that they enjoyed an expanded habitat, because living in cold water was not a problem.
The deadly sperm whales may have traveled in groups, so they had an advantage when facing Megalodon, which may have been looking alone.
Cooling seas, the disappearance of prey and competition – it was too much for megalodon.
For this reason, you will not find modern Megalodon teeth.
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This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Michael Haithausand Florida International University
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Michael Heithaus does not work with, consulting, or receiving them from any company or institution that will benefit from this article, and has not been revealed by any related affiliations that exceed its academic appointment.
