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Few people, like Megalodon, have captured the imagination by prehistoric monsters.
From the Natural History Museum to the Silver Screen, this giant shark, which was extinct more than three million years ago, is portrayed as one of the most terrifying and ferocious predators roaming the globe.
But a new study from the University of California, Riverside, could forever change the perception of “The Meg” in Riverside, published Monday in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica.
Until now, the Megalodon has been envisioned as a much larger version of the Great White shark, which has a similarly thick body type. Typical methods of estimating its shape and size rely on teeth and limited vertebral specimens, as no complete adult skeleton has been found.
Illustration of a megalodon compared to humans. (UCR)
“By examining the vertebrae of megalodon and comparing it with over 100 raw sharks,[the researcher]determined a more accurate proportion of the head, body and tail,” UCR said.
Now, megalodon measures about 80 feet long and weighs 94 tons, suggesting that it is much longer (probably a larger whale-like lemon shark is more closely resembling. Its slender body was designed for energy-efficient cruises rather than short, fast attacks.
“When you swim, you put your head on and lead when you swim,” said Tim Hyam, a biologist at UCR who provided research insights. “Evolution often moves towards efficiency, likewise.”
Lemon shark glides through the waters of the Bahamian bank (Getty)
For comparison, great white sharks can grow up to 20 feet long, but their bodies are suitable for bursts of speed.
Researchers also believe that newborn megalodons could have been nearly 13 feet long, the size of the great white sharks for adults.
“It is entirely possible that the Megalodon puppy had already defeated a marine mammal right after it was born,” says Philip Stahnes, UCR shark biologist.
UCR hopes that this study will provide better insight into why only certain animals can evolve at large scale beyond megalodons.
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