Description
Large Fossilised Megalodon Tooth 8.8cm
This large fossilised Megalodon Tooth at 8.8cm, is an impressive specimen. The tooth is just over 2/3 complete, with sharp serrations and excellent enamel. Because sharks don’t have bones, only cartilage, it is generally only the fossilised teeth that are found. The teeth of the megalogon shark are exceptionally strong and robust. They were built for grabbing prey and also for cutting through and breaking bone.
Megalodon sharks have been extinct for over 3 million years. They were one of the largest and powerful predators that have ever existed. The name Megalodon actually means ‘Big Tooth’. The largest specimens grew up to 15-18 metres long with jaws 3 metres wide. The megalodon shark preferred warmer water, with the juveniles living in the shallower, warm coastal seas. Current theories suggest that the cooling the sea temperatures, brought on by the ice-ages led to their eventual decline and extinction. This in addition to falling sea levels and a reduction in available prey meant they died out over 3 million years ago.
The Great White Shark that is alive today grows to only a third of the size of the megalodon shark. There is still an ongoing debate as to whether the great white shark have evolved from the megalodon shark.
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