|
World's Largest Fossil Shark
More links to information at bottom of
page
Carcharodon megalodon
The largest predator was the megatooth shark, Carcharodon megalodon. Their maximum length is widely debated, but most estimates are around 50-60 feet!
Megalodon evolved during the early Miocene epoch, about twenty million years ago, and lived until about two or three million years ago. Scientists suspect that the megatooth’s main prey were the large whales, which evolved at about the same time.
Today, the closest relative of the megatooth is the relatively puny great white shark, which seldom gets as big as twenty feet.
 |
It took Vito Bertucci about 20 years of work to get an entire set of teeth for
the gargantuan Miocene shark Carcharadon megalodon. Vito scuba dives for these fossils and frequently encounters modern sharks and alligators while collecting. He has appeared in a National Geographic special for his efforts in reconstructing the biggest JAWS ever to haunt the ocean depths. |
|
|
 |
 |
JAWS 188 actual fossil teeth of the extinct Great White Shark, Carcharodon Megalodon, which lived 3 million years ago. |
 |
A MODERN GREAT WHITE SHARK JAW Displaying many rows of teeth up to 2 inches, 22 1/2 x 21 3/4 inches. This is among the largest species of fish living today. |
 |
JAWS OF AN EXTINCT MAKO SHARK
A reconstructed jaw containing 122 of the largest mako shark's teeth fossils ever found. It is believed that this species of shark developed serrated teeth and evolved into the modern white shark of today; measuring 46x43 inches |
 |
THE LARGEST SHARK JAW IN THE WORLD
Containing 182 fossil teeth, including four of the largest teeth ever discovered. Each of the four largest teeth measures over 7 inches, with the largest tooth measuring 7 5/8 inches. It is believed that in life, this shark would have measured over 75 feet in length. The jaw is a reconstruction, modeled after it's closest living relative the great white shark. Measuring 9 1/2 feet high x 11 feet wide, containing four rows of teeth. |
Discovery.com special initialed "The Great Bone Bazaar" Click Here