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3w ago

New Study Reveals Megalodon’s Varied Diet and Adaptability

Zinc isotope analysis of fossil teeth shows the extinct giant shark fed on a broad range of prey, challenging long-held assumptions about its diet.

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A stock image shows a 3D illustration of the Otodus Megalodon, the largest predatory fish that has ever existed.
Jeremy McCormack with a fossilized megalodon tooth (Otodus megalodon).
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Overview

  • Megalodon, once thought to exclusively hunt whales, is now understood to have been an opportunistic predator with a diverse diet including marine mammals and large fish.
  • Zinc isotope analysis of fossilized teeth provided insights into the shark's position in the food chain and its flexible feeding habits.
  • Regional differences in diet were observed, with megalodons in some areas feeding more on lower levels of the food pyramid due to prey availability.
  • The species required an estimated 100,000 kilocalories daily, highlighting the immense energy demands tied to its massive size, which could reach up to 24 meters in length.
  • Researchers suggest competition from the modern great white shark may have contributed to megalodon’s extinction approximately 3.6 million years ago.