New Study Suggests Megalodon Was Longer and Sleeker Than Previously Thought

Researchers propose the extinct shark resembled a lemon shark more than a great white, with a body optimized for efficient swimming.

A new analysis estimates megalodons may have reached lengths of up to 80 feet and weighed approximately 94 tons, rivaling the size of blue whales.
The study suggests a more elongated, slender body shape similar to a lemon shark, contrasting with earlier comparisons to the stockier great white shark.
Megalodon newborns were likely around 13 feet long, the size of an adult great white, and capable of hunting marine mammals shortly after birth.
The findings indicate megalodons were energy-efficient swimmers, capable of moderate cruising speeds with bursts of speed for hunting.
This research refines our understanding of megalodon biology and offers insights into how body shape influences the evolution of gigantism in marine animals.