Megalodons were huge carnivores that lived 23 million years ago! They were at the top of the food chain and dominated the ocean at the time. Megalodons went extinct between 3.5 million and 2.6 million years ago. But how did they go extinct when they were at the top of the food chain?
On May 31, 2022, researchers in Leipzig Germany revealed that Great White Sharks may have caused the extinction of Megalodons. Megalodons were estimated to become extinct 3.5 million years ago, and that’s the time where Great White Sharks first came onto the scene. Researchers found out that Megalodons and Great White Sharks eat similar food. They both eat marine mammals, seals, and other fish. The researchers looked at the zinc in both species’ teeth. Zinc takes two forms, Zinc-66 and Zinc-64, and can tell scientist what the animals ate.
Sharks mostly have Zinc-64 in their teeth and eat more aggressive animals. Zinc-66 occurs in the teeth of mainly plant-eating animals, and fish with Zinc-66 are lower in the food chain.
Even though they are similar predators, it doesn’t mean the Great White sharks killed the Megalodon. There are many possible reasons for why the Megalodon went extinct and why the Great White Sharks are still alive. The Megalodon may have run out of food in the ocean, or water temperatures could have become too cold for them.
Sources:https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1659262483618x612677990147609300/Great%20white%20sharks%20may%20be%20partly%20to%20blame%20for%20the%20end%20of%20megalodons%20_%20Science%20News%20Explores.pdf
On May 31, 2022, researchers in Leipzig Germany revealed that Great White Sharks may have caused the extinction of Megalodons. Megalodons were estimated to become extinct 3.5 million years ago, and that’s the time where Great White Sharks first came onto the scene. Researchers found out that Megalodons and Great White Sharks eat similar food. They both eat marine mammals, seals, and other fish. The researchers looked at the zinc in both species’ teeth. Zinc takes two forms, Zinc-66 and Zinc-64, and can tell scientist what the animals ate.
Sharks mostly have Zinc-64 in their teeth and eat more aggressive animals. Zinc-66 occurs in the teeth of mainly plant-eating animals, and fish with Zinc-66 are lower in the food chain.
Even though they are similar predators, it doesn’t mean the Great White sharks killed the Megalodon. There are many possible reasons for why the Megalodon went extinct and why the Great White Sharks are still alive. The Megalodon may have run out of food in the ocean, or water temperatures could have become too cold for them.
Sources:https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1659262483618x612677990147609300/Great%20white%20sharks%20may%20be%20partly%20to%20blame%20for%20the%20end%20of%20megalodons%20_%20Science%20News%20Explores.pdf
