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NEW ANCIENT SHARK SPECIES FOUND IN KENTUCKY NATIONAL PARK
by Sophia Wang
The Macadens Olsoni’s fossil was discovered in a cave located in Mammoth Cave National Park. This fossil was discovered in 2020, but was only formally announced in July 2025.
A spokesperson for the park said that this shark has an extremely unusual tooth whorl at the front of its jaw , making the creature quite a sight to see. “This discovery is a remarkable addition to our understanding of ancient marine life and underscores the importance of preserving and studying our natural history.” Said Superintendent Barclay Trimble.
The Macadens Olsoni was named after a park and a scientist. Macadens, after the park where it was found, and Olsoni, standing for Richard Olson, a retired scientist who helped identify the shark fossil.
The shark wasn’t ridiculously large, just about 30cm. It was the average size of a school ruler. Considering its size, the shark’s diet probably contained worms and mollusks, and other small sea creatures living near the sea floor. This ancient shark lived in warm, shallow inland water during the Mississippian period.
The Macadens Olsoni wasn’t the only one found at the park; this national park is home to many more amazing shark discoveries. The Mammoth Cave National Park has one of the longest cave systems known to the world! With over 400 miles explored, according to the U.S. National Park Foundation.
Millions of years ago, the cave was submerged underwater and was called home by many ancient aquatic creatures, and the Macadens Olsoni is only one of the few we have discovered. “This discovery is a remarkable addition to our understanding of ancient marine life and underscores the importance of preserving and studying our natural history.” Said Superintendent Barclay Trimble.
“This find not only enhances our knowledge of ancient marine ecosystems, but also emphasizes the critical role of paleontological research in our national parks.” As our knowledge builds discovery by discovery, the Macadens Olsoni will be an unforgettable find. There are many other fossils hidden beneath the ground in that cave at the Mammoth Cave National Park.
-https://ecoservantsproject.org/
-https://www.nps.gov/

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Sophia Wang