Megalodon
Also known as: Meg, Giant White Shark, Carcharocles megalodon
The largest shark that ever lived went extinct 3.6 million years ago, unless the deep ocean is hiding something.
Fossil record, survival claims 20th century
Worldwide oceans (historically)
15-20 meters long
Apex predator
Scientifically extinct, survival claims debated
The Lore
Megalodon was a massive prehistoric shark that reached lengths of 15 to 20 meters and dominated the oceans for roughly 20 million years before going extinct approximately 3.6 million years ago. Despite firm scientific consensus on its extinction, claims of surviving megalodons persist. Proponents cite the ocean's unexplored depths and occasional reports of unusually large sharks. Skeptics note that megalodon required warm, shallow coastal waters and abundant large prey, making deep-ocean survival implausible. The debate remains one of cryptozoology's most popular topics.
Body Type
Folklore Origin
Media Appearances
- The Meg (2018)
- Shark Week specials
- Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives (2013)
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