Wednesday 17 August 2022 07:07 PM Megalodon targeted prey as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 ... trends now

Wednesday 17 August 2022 07:07 PM Megalodon targeted prey as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 ... trends now
Wednesday 17 August 2022 07:07 PM Megalodon targeted prey as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 ... trends now

Wednesday 17 August 2022 07:07 PM Megalodon targeted prey as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 ... trends now

Megalodon was a 'SUPER PREDATOR': 52ft shark targeted prey as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 million years ago – and could then survive without eating for two months, study reveals Scientists have used a new 3D modelling technique to envisage the megalodon Their results revealed that the megalodon was 52ft and weighed 61 tons It required 98,000 kilocalories/day, and had a stomach volume of 10,000 litres It would have been able to eat prey up to 26ft long – around the size of an Orca

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At 52ft long and weighing a whopping 61 tons, it's no surprise that the megalodon was one of the most ferocious predators to have ever lived on Earth.

But a new study sheds light on megalodon's chosen prey, and suggests the ancient beast feasted on animals as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 million years ago.

After such a feed, the ancient shark could survive without any more food for two months, according to researchers from the Royal Veterinary College.

'This giant shark was a transoceanic super-apex predator,' said Professor Catalina Pimiento, a senior author of the study from the University of Zurich.

'The extinction of this iconic giant shark likely impacted global nutrient transport and released large cetaceans from a strong predatory pressure.'

A new study sheds light on megalodon's chosen prey, and suggests the ancient beast feasted on animals as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 million years ago

A new study sheds light on megalodon's chosen prey, and suggests the ancient beast feasted on animals as large as killer whales when it roamed the oceans 11 million years ago

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College used advanced 3D modelling to discover the movement and feeding ecology of the biggest shark to have ever roamed the oceans - the megalodon

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College used advanced 3D modelling to discover the movement and feeding ecology of the biggest shark to have ever roamed the oceans - the megalodon

THE LARGEST SHARK THAT EVER LIVED 

O. megalodon was not only the biggest shark in the world, but one of the largest fish ever to exist. 

Estimates suggest it grew to between 49 feet and 59 feet (15 and 18 metres) in length, three times longer than the largest recorded great white shark. 

Without a complete megalodon skeleton, these figures are based on the size of the animal's teeth, which can reach 7 inches long. 

Most reconstructions show megalodon looking like an enormous great white shark, but this is now believed to be incorrect. 

Read more: Megalodon: the truth about the largest shark that ever lived 

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Until today, the only fossil evidence we have of the megalodon has been its teeth.

Previous studies have used measurements of these

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