Megalodon size revised upward

A 2025 study has revised the estimated size of the megalodon, suggesting it was approximately 24.3 meters long and weighed around 94 tons. This conclusion was reached by analyzing the proportions of head, trunk, and tail in 145 species of modern sharks and 20 extinct species.

Fossil evidence suggests long lifespan

Fossil vertebrae discovered in Denmark suggest the megalodon could have lived up to 96 years. These remains also indicate that the creature swam at a moderate speed of 2.1 to 3.5 kilometers per hour, likely hunting by ambush rather than chasing prey.

Extinction linked to competition

The megalodon became extinct 3.6 million years ago, likely due to competition with the great white shark for the same prey. This conclusion comes from a study published in Nature Communications that analyzed zinc traces in fossil teeth to determine dietary overlap between the two species.

Largest vertebrae found in Denmark

A 2026 rediscovery of giant vertebrae, lost since the 1980s, found in the Gram Formation in Denmark showed a maximum vertebral diameter of 23 centimeters. This is the largest recorded vertebra of any shark or known fish, further supporting the revised size estimate of the megalodon.

Growth bands reveal age clues

Analysis of growth bands in the Danish megalodon vertebrae indicated that the specimen could have lived at least 64 years, with a potential maximum lifespan of up to 96 years. These growth bands function similarly to tree rings, allowing scientists to estimate the age of the animal.

Megalodon tooth found in New Jersey

In 2026, a father and his 11-year-old son discovered a megalodon tooth on a beach in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. The New Jersey State Museum noted the significance of the find, given the rarity of such discoveries in the state.

Deep-sea discovery adds to evidence

In June 2022, an underwater robot exploring submerged volcanic mountains in the central Pacific detected a fossilized megalodon tooth 68 millimeters in size at a depth of more than 10,000 feet. This discovery indicates that the megalodon's remains continue to be found in unexpected locations.