Even the great white shark has been recorded diving to depths of 4,000 feet. She added the megalodon would not be able to survive in the cold waters of the deep, where it would stand a better chance of going unnoticed. CMHypno from Other Side of the Sun on May 20, 2014: Interesting hub cryptid. It was also likely that it ate other sharks. The megalodon was so strong and powerful that it could crash small boats with its jaws. What if it adapted to this hostile environment, waiting for you to come by for its dinner? A video shows a Megaladon Shark at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. You have to take size into consideration. Megalodon diving is very popular around these parts, and you'll often find divers going into the dark depths to try and score a megalodon tooth. Researchers compare the sparse fossil remains, which consist only of teeth and vertebrae, with living animals such as the great white shark to estimate the length of megalodon. if the megalodon is out there its gotta be in the Mariana trench, just because it was a live 200000 years ago doesn't mean its still extinct who knows it could none has had PROOF that its EXTINCT. To maintain its body temperature, our megalodon would have to be warm-blooded. For other inquiries, Contact Us. And it could have the Portuguese dogfish and the Greenland shark on the menu. The Megalodon (Otodus megalodon), is an extinct species of shark, arguably one of the largest, if not the largest marine predator that has ever lived. Question: Is Megalodon bigger than a blue whale? What If Megalodon Sharks Never Went Extinct? Their job is to stop the other molecules from being crushed by the pressure. Saying it's gone forever is just as ignorant as saying, "I can't see you, therefore you can't see me." And to navigate in total darkness, it would have to either become bioluminescent or grow massive eyes like the giant squid. Again, to put this into perspective, the average human bite force is around 1,317 Newtons, while the average bite force of great white sharks is 18,200 Newtons. Its appearance and the maximum size are debatable, and the assumptions we have today are based on the size of its teeth. As scientists study the fossil record more and more, it is becoming quite obvious that megalodons lived alongside great whites. 4. This video wasn't "breaking," it didn't show a 50-foot shark, it wasn't filmed in the Mariana Trench, and it absolutely didn't capture an extinct megalodon. 1. One shocking report from 1918, tells of a 35-metre long "monster" shark stalking the waters off the port of St Stephens. Surf Researcher is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.ca. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here. "If an animal as big as megalodon still lived in the oceans we would know about it.". If Megalodon still exists and feeds on whales, we'd see evidence on whales that survived attacks, just as we see evidence of great white shark attacks on lucky seals that managed to escape. Their teeth are widely spaced between 19 and 28 in the upper jaw and 21 to 29 in the lower jaw. Eyewitness accounts are, unfortunately, biased by the knowledge and experience of the witness. Humans have a bite force of around 1,317 Newtons (N) while great white sharks have a force of 18,216N. The Megamouth Shark is a massive fish reaching 20 feet in length or more. And while youre there, maybe youd be up for a little research project. mskcc human resources email. The cooling of the planet may have contributed to its supposed demise in a number of different ways. I suppose it will take a dead Megalodon being found somewhere to prove it or, unfortunately, someone not just sighting the huge shark but also managing to catch and kill it. The first manned exploration occurred in 1960 when the bathyscaphe "Trieste" descended into the Western Pacific Ocean with two people, Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, to 35,797 feet . What If We Woke Up Volcanoes to Fight Climate Change? Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. No scientific evidence, today, supports such statements. Fossil records of that extinct shark species suggest that it reached a size of nearly 60 feet in length. And with only 15% of our oceans explored, whos to say no ancient predators are hiding somewhere deep underwater? this is my favorite prehistoric creature and i will keep doing research. Creatures down there are almost in sleep all year so they dont have to eat so much. What if the megalodon was alive today? Given that it was a massive shar. O. megalodon was not only the biggest shark in the world, but one of the largest fish ever to exist. "If you are that big you need to eat a lot of food, so large prey is required.". Despite what you may have heard on the Discovery Channel back in the day, true ocean experts say that there is no way the megalodon still exists in the deep oceans. if they needed at least one whale a day to survive without starving then if they went into the trench then there oxygen levels drop causing them to have to eat a lot less allowing them to eat small amounts of food and surviving. And inward-facing teeth could prevent slimy prey from escaping. Plus, why wouldn't they just migrate to where whales and large food items live? In fact at one time giant squads we're myth and orangutans were the same as Bigfoot or the yeti. As we will see, there are a few problems with this story. I really want real evidence that this shark is still in the oceans somewhere so I could learn. The Pacific Sleeper Shark and Greenland Shark are huge animals reaching over 20 feet in length and can live at depths of up to 9,000 feet. Are megalodon still alive in the Mariana Trench? Living fossils, or species that were known solely through fossil record only to be later discovered alive, include most famously the bizarre coelacanth fish. What is the mystery of Mariana Trench? The coelecanth was supposed to have gone extinct millions of years ago, but they live still. Many sharks can go through around 40,000 teeth during their lives. So, believers reason, if Megalodon still exists it must have evolved to live somewhere it is rarely seen. Does the Megalodon Shark still live, deep in the Mariana Trench? 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Some believe this footage, which has remerged after being filmed in 2018, is proof the sharks are not extinct and it has sparked a debate online. What people report seeing could be just a very large shark of another species. What If the World Lost Oxygen for Five Seconds? Its appearance and the maximum size are debatable, and the assumptions we have today are based on the size of its teeth. This video wasn't "breaking," it didn't show a 50-foot shark, it wasn't filmed in the Mariana Trench, and it absolutely didn't capture an extinct megalodon. What could this apex predator be hunting in the deep? When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. View our online Press Pack. These massive sharks would be leaving telltale bite marks on large marine animals, of which no reports have been made. People and megalodon live in the same era. One unique thing scientists have gathered from this evidence is that megalodons must have been able to open their mouths wide to tackle this kind of prey. Like you have said in another article , only 5% of our oceans have been explored, so what about the other 95% that is left untouched? Scroll down for the quiz! The Otodus megalodon had a rostrum (nose) that was much shorter compared to the great white shark. Getting bitten by this beast would feel like. Scientists believe that the megalodon's oldest ancestor was the Otodus Obliquus, which lived in the deep ocean more than 55 million years ago. We can only say probably because so little is known about the appearance of megalodon. Science tells us that Megalodon sharks are extinct. The last place that megalodon sharks would go if they were still alive would be the Mariana Trench. How could it withstand the immense pressure? However, most scientists agree that it would be impossible for a living megalodon colony to exist without our knowing about it. The killer predator was three times longer and 40 times heavier than the largest ever recorded great white shark. Then suddenly, without explanation, the 18-metre-long (50 foot) super predator disappeared. So cool. Keep up the pages, they are awesome and very well written! However, researchers have estimated the megalodon had a bite force of between 108,514 and 182,201N. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. But I don't think it lives in the marina trench the pressure is too much!!! On the other hand, scientists shouldn't brush off reported sightings of Megalodon, especially when some of those come from experienced fishermen and seamen who know what all of those things look like. The Mariana Trench is about as remote as it gets, and even a massive shark would be very hard to find. Going through every megalodon fossil collected on the west coast of North America, however, the researchers noticed that some of the samples had been misidentified and misdated. Past research suggests that the megalodon (Otodus megalodon) went missing 2.6 million years ago alongside a wave of marine extinction, potentially caused by a supernovathat triggered severe climate and biodiversity changes during this time. 3838 Camino Del Rio N #102 San Diego, CA 92108. The Megalodon (Otodus megalodon), is an extinct species of shark, arguably one of the largest, if not the largest marine predator that has ever lived. It is believed to have died around three million years ago, though there are plenty who still believe it is alive today. i have studied the oceans. Megalodon Still Exists to Some Extent, Scientists Say. 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I think that the Megalodon shark still exists but not necessarily in the Mariana Trench. Researchers are aware of some interesting Mariana trench animals, but the megalodon is not one of them. One reason we know this is because of fossil teeth and vertebrae left behind. Could you get yourself a pet On our hypothetical journey, weve already tested out living on a flat Earth, a cubical Earth, even a hollow Earth. They believe the massive megalodon- focus of the new Jason Statham film The Meg - has successfully evaded detection for millions of years. Megalodon's maximum size is inferred because we do not actually have a whole preserved Megalodon. Even a tooth lodged in a whale or something would prove Megalodon is still around, but until we see such a thing the alleged sightings are nothing but compelling stories. The only part of the megalodon fossils that remain is the teeth. What If the Megalodon Shark Fought the Mosasaurus? As they were dependent on tropical waters, the drop in ocean temperatures is likely to have resulted in a significant loss of habitat. Forget everything you know about the United States of America. Some people believe that the megalodon could live in the Mariana trench, but thats virtually impossible. So that's my point of view. Ill Take a deep breath. The megalodon was the last shark in a completely different lineage of sharks from more than 3.5 million years ago. The huge predator can be seen swimming over what seems to be an. In fact, if it were still alive in the deepest point of the ocean, the Mariana trench, we would know about it at this point. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. There were megalodons later. An expert on ancient sharks told National Geographic that he is not convinced that just one species can cause such a decline. Enhanced super sensitive sensory organs. After making extensive adjustments, they calculated that the shark's disappearance must have happened at least one million years earlier than once thought. The Mariana Trench was created by a geological process called subduction. Find out more, Contact Advertise Licensing Newsletter Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms of ServiceOur Production Process. cryptid (author) from USA on November 12, 2015: Good points Levius. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. It's somewhat rare but not unheard for species to eat their own kind given the proper circumstances. Even though the Discovery Channel has said in the past that there is life in the deep ocean, Emma asserts that this is not the case. Similar to the great white, however, the Otodus megalodon had ultra-long pectoral fins to support its massive size. i think the meg lives in the ocens but maby not the mirina trench, It could have reproduced and they all stayed down there and ate the squids. Please keep these people away from the voting booths! cryptid (author) from USA on February 03, 2015: I don't think anyone should readily assume anything ever, especially about political candidates. You put out some pretty convincing arguments about it being possible Megalodon still exists. This fact alone is enough for most researchers to conclude that Megalodon is extinct. Suddenly, your sub experiences an earthquake. Very intelligently written and well organized. By comparison, that's about 6,000 feet deeper than Mount Everest is tall. I'm convinced. When lifting the probe back up from the depths, it caught on an invisible object even though there was nothing between the ship and the sea floor. Would you ever go swimming in the ocean with the thought that a monster shark might be lurking near you? The giant's terrifying jaws were lined with 276 teeth - measuring up to . Megalodon teeth give us a surprising amount of information about this shark, including what it ate and what it looked like. The giant creature, not surprisingly, choked to death and was later appropriately named the megamouth shark. Did the megalodon evolve, and its still alive, hiding in the deep ocean? Some believe its is proof megaladons are not exticnt while others say its bears a very strong resemblance to a sleeper shark. Conspiracy theorists believe the megalodon has managed to successfully avoid detection for millions of years. Megalodon ( Carcharocles megalodon) is the largest shark, at a magnificent maximum length of 18 meters (59 feet), to ever have dwelled in the oceans. As the largest shark that ever roamed the Earth, people can't help but imagine whether or not this giant predator is still lurking in the ocean's depths. Stories of massive sharks have circulated in the region for decades, and some believe the Megalodon Shark still lurks in the depths. The earliest fossils of megalodon date back more than 23 million years, making it very unlikely that the species is still alive today. There is no mistaking the 15 cm (6 in) teeth of the largest apex predator, the megalodon. The terrifying predator, believed to have died out around 3m years ago, was once THE true king of the prehistoric ocean. Information we have regarding the megalodon habitat has to do with where we find its teeth. Images surfaced in 2016 which appeared to show what looked like a 60-foot shark illuminated in the darkness of Japan's Suruga Bay. Could the Megalodon Still Be Alive in the Mariana Trench? Human bones and bones of other large marine animals are typically made of mineral calcium phosphate, which hardens and is fossilized much easier. There's no evidence that the long-extinct megalodon shark is hiding inside the Mariana Trench. Granted, they are fearless sharks that could crash boats, however, we are the smartest and the top apex predator on this planet. "The extinction of O. megalodon was previously thought to be related to this marine mass extinction - but in reality, we now know the two are not immediately related,"explainslead author Robert Boessenecker, a vertebrate paleontologist at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. In this article, well explore several theories, including the one where the megalodon is still alive, and later on see the evidence the studies have shown. Is it really possible a shark could live at those depths? Animals of the deep sea often live by scavenging on the decaying remains of plants and animals from the upper zones of the ocean. Was this the biggest shark that ever existed? That said, I think a lot of the reports of Megalodon are really just that - the people saw them. In a scenario where megalodons and people live at the same time, they still couldnt stand a chance against us. How did megalodon go extinct? So, the Pacific Ocean floor is like a big conveyor belt, slowly marching westward over time, where it is recycled into the depths of the Mariana Trench. Others cope by being very small and needing less food to survive. Supersized themselves into a massive proportion. Fossil remains also tell us that the megalodon had around276 teeth. There is an invisible force protecting us, keeping our atmosphere in place. Despite its impressive size, it remained unknown until 1976. The fossils of the megalodon are from the beginning of the world. Many people now believe that megalodon is still alive because of the fictional documentaries. Take a self-e. As for what it eats probably squid, tunia, and maybe whales. No, it specialized in hunting whales which go up to the surface to breath air. It is a forbidding landscape, and not very hospitable to a predatory shark. Galloway, N.J. - Fossilized teeth and vertebrae are all that remain from the extinct Megalodon, the largest shark to have ever hunted our oceans But that was just enough for a team of paleontologists to reconstruct pieces of the prehistoric predator's life history. The giant's terrifying jaws were lined with 276 teeth - measuring up to an incredible seven inches in length. As for where ol' Meg lives perhaps he just roams the seas like a great white. IF this same behavior is followed by the megalodon when you factor the size it would explain why we haven't discovered them yet if they still exist. Probably not. At its deepest, it is estimated at nearly 10,000 feet. Sign up to FREE email alerts with news to brighten your day. But is it possible that Megalodon is still alive? Unlikely. Its believed that the megalodon could reach a maximum length of 16 meters (52 ft). Far to the east, the new ocean floor is created by volcanic activity. Scientists believe that a large part of its extinction was due to its loss of habitat. At first, many thought it was a Pacific Sleeper Shark. When later disassembled, 2 enormous teeth were found embedded in the bodywork and were later identified as the belonging to the enormous, dangerous and questionable extinct MEGALODON. ", Rchick added: "Scientists and researchers dont know anything for sure. I believe the stories of these fishermen are not fabricated and they are seeing a very, very large shark of some sort! I wouldn't be surprised if there are megs outs there. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. It would also have to switch its diet from whales, dolphins, sea lions, and sea cows to whatever organisms reside in the Mariana Trench and hope that it could find and eat its usual 2,500 lb of food per day.- According to the United Nations, there are 7.6 billion people in the world today, and only 3 of them have made it to the deepest point on Earth. On 4 October 2016, the Facebook page Buzz Channel published a video purportedly showing a 50-foot megaladon (a gigantic species of shark that has been extinct for millions of years) at the bottom of the MarianaTrench, the deepest part of Pacific Ocean: Absolutely Terrifying #Breaking #50ftShark. Some of these whale skeletons include fossil shark teeth in them, which likely broke off during a predator-prey battle a few million years back. As for why we can not find them the ocean is a big place, plus we have not found all the animals on earth. Firstly, the trench is too deep for the animal to survive in. However, for the sake of the argument, lets imagine how life would look like if the megalodon never went extinct. Despite multiple scientific expeditions over the years, no megalodon has ever been caught or observed in the Mariana Trench or anywhere else in the world. A living Megalodon deep in the Mariana Trench is a hopeful idea, but modern science tells us that the Megalodon Shark went extinct thousands of years ago. The megalodon, undoubtedly one of the most popular sharks ever, has been the king of the ocean for millions of years. Are they right? What could this apex predator be hunting in the deep? One of the reasons is that it is vertically migratory, meaning it only comes anywhere near the surface at night.