A recent study has revealed that the Megalodon, an extinct species of shark, only reached its enormous size in colder regions of the ocean. The Megalodon was known to grow up to 20 meters long, three times the size of the feared Great White Shark. However, scientists have been puzzled as to why some fossils of the Megalodon are significantly smaller. Previous theories suggested that the Megalodon was born in warmer waters, but a new study by researchers at DePaul University has shed light on the matter.
The team analyzed 120 fossilized Megalodon teeth and 25 teeth from other shark species, correlating the data with the location of the fossils. They also used climate and ocean current models to determine the water temperature at the time of the fossils’ formation. The study found that the Megalodon only reached its maximum size in colder waters with cold ocean currents. In warmer waters with a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, the sharks remained significantly smaller. The study also suggests that the Megalodon followed the Bergmann’s rule, which states that animals in colder regions are larger and more compact than those in tropical regions.
The Megalodon’s adaptation to cold waters and rudimentary warm-bloodedness may have contributed to its success as a predator. The study’s findings challenge the common assumption that all Megalodon were enormous, and it remains unclear whether the species had specific breeding grounds in warmer regions. The study provides valuable insights into the Megalodon’s evolution and ecological patterns, highlighting the importance of water temperature in determining the size of the species.
