Scientists discover megalodon tooth dating back millions of years

At the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, at a depth of approximately 3,000 meters, scientists have discovered a fossil that appears as if it has just fallen into the sand, according to researchers.

The tooth found at the bottom of the ocean (photo: Historical Biology)

Upon examining the ancient tooth on land, it was revealed that its tip was broken. However, the edges remain almost as sharp as on the day they last sliced through prey. The size of this finding is 63-68 millimeters.

Tips of the megalodon tooth (photo: Historical Biology)

Megalodon teeth have been encountered before, but they have never been virtually in the same state as millions of years ago. Throughout their lives, they shed hundreds of teeth, just like modern sharks.

What size was the megalodon

The megalodon is one of the oldest representatives of the shark world. Its fossils date back to ancient times, about 20 million years ago. This gigantic shark existed in the oceans for about 13 million years until it disappeared about 3.6 million years ago.

This predator not only holds the title of the largest shark in history but also remains one of the largest fish that once inhabited our planet's waters.

Information about the stature of the megalodon, capable of easily handling modern representatives of the shark world, is primarily based on its enormous teeth, comparable in size to a human hand.

Unfortunately, other parts of this ancient predator's skeleton, such as soft tissues, have not been preserved over the last 3.6 million years since its disappearance.

The megalodon reached significant sizes, approximately 15-18 meters in length, three times larger than the largest registered great white shark. In terms of length, it could compete with modern whale sharks, the largest of which reaches a length of 18.8 meters.

Recall that scientists were able to communicate with a whale for the first time.