Megalodon

Megalodon was the biggest and most powerful shark that ever lived. It could grow up to 50 feet long or more! Its name means "big tooth." Megalodon lived from about 23 to 3.6 million years ago, long after the dinosaurs went extinct.

Giant Teeth

Megalodon's teeth could be over 7 inches long. That is about the size of an adult's hand! Each tooth was triangle-shaped with a serrated edge, like a steak knife. Megalodon had about 276 teeth in its mouth at any time. It could replace thousands of teeth during its lifetime.

King of the Ocean

Megalodon was about three times longer than a great white shark. Its bite force was the strongest of any animal ever. Scientists estimate it could bite with a force of over 40,000 pounds. It ate whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other large sea animals.

Fun Facts

• Megalodon's bite was strong enough to crush a car.
• Its jaw could open wide enough for two adults to stand inside.
• We mostly know about Megalodon from its teeth because shark skeletons are made of cartilage, which doesn't fossilize well.

Did You Know?

People find megalodon teeth on beaches all the time, especially along the coasts of the southeastern United States. Some teeth are so well preserved they still look sharp after millions of years!