You should try to imagine, you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean, the sun is incredibly high and the water looks a bit calm. You see a shadow shoot under your boat and you see a giant shark with jaws and teeth that can handle anything that fits. This is definitely not a myth, no you would have seen the Megalodon. This was the biggest shark that ever roamed our planet.
Now this prehistoric shark is thankfully gone, but what if it still existed? After all, what could it mean for our current eco-system? Then assume it's not just one. No it would then be whole families. But besides our eco system, what would it mean for our ships and also our holidays by the sea? We take a closer look at the thought process in this blog, this with a mix of science, imagination and also actual facts. We will then see a world where the Megalodon would never have been extinct.
What was the Megalodon?
The Megalodon was an incredibly large shark species that lived about 23 to 3.6 million years ago. This shark was known as the largest predatory fish that ever existed. Current science estimates that the shark could be between 15 and 20 metres long. This is at least 3 times larger than the current white shark. In addition, the weight of the Megalodon could also be at least 60 tonnes.
Its gigantic jaws could easily open to a width of up to more than 3 metres, in addition, the bite force of this giant was also estimated at a good 180,000 newtons. It is so much stronger than any biting predator and this includes the T.rex. Thus, a Megalodon could devour whales with ease. These were probably also part of its diet as were all kinds of other marine mammals.
Also, did you know that the Megalodon's name actually literally means big tooth? Funny right? After all, these Megalodon teeth are massive and could be as long as 18 centimetres. To this day, the teeth are found on various seabeds and also coastlines around the world.
Why is the Megalodon extinct?
What we know is that the Megalodon really did rule our oceans for millions of years, this as the king among predators. Yet this apex predator disappeared again about 3.6 million years ago. Scientists have developed an awful lot of theories over the years, these should uncover the mystery. Of course, these offer absolutely no certainty, yet they are all well-founded causes.
Change in temperature
At the end of the era we know as the Pliocene, the earth really began to cool down anyway. This in turn marked the beginning of several ice ages, this during which the temperature of the sea water also dropped worldwide. The Megalodon lived mainly in the warmer, tropical and also subtropical seas. As the warm water areas became smaller, the Megalodon's habitat became severely restricted. The cooler oceans were not only physically less suitable for this shark, but also caused its prey animals, especially marine mammals. These began to move to some colder areas where the Megalodon would not survive well.
In addition, colder temperatures can affect the metabolism and also reproduction of marine animals. For a predator that depends on a large amount of food to keep its body working at all times, limiting food and also limiting warm water would have brought incredibly bad consequences.
Increasing competition
We know that at the time when the Megalodon began to disappear, other predators appeared. These predators were able to survive more effectively in changing conditions. One major competitor was the shark, which has now fully evolved into our current white shark, of which it is expected that it had taken over the Megalodon's niche, so to speak. The shark was a lot smaller, yet the great white shark was a lot more agile, energy efficient and was also able to live in colder but also warmer waters.
Our well-known orcas (Orcinus orca) also began to evolve into the socially intelligent, organised hunters we know today. Whereas we suspected that the Megalodon hunted alone, we know that orcas hunt in groups. This, of course, significantly increases their success. This enabled them to compete for the same prey, but in addition they could also attack the younger and weaker Megalodons.
These were again new predators which put more pressure on food sources that the Megalodon needed. This in turn caused prey to become scarcer and the struggle for survival also became more fierce.
Decline of prey animals
We know that the Megalodon could perfectly cope with hunting the large marine mammals, just think of the dolphin, whales and also certainly the ancestors of the seals. These are groups that have in turn been affected by ecological shifts. Many species that the Megalodon hunted died out or migrated to the colder regions of the oceans where the Megalodon struggled. This could be due to its preference for the warm waters and the associated huge energy requirements.
Due to the migration patterns of whales, among others, as well as the effects of changes in plankton populations, ocean currents and even seasonal influences, a very important food source for the Megalodon disappeared, so to speak. This made prey increasingly scarce and for a large predator like the Megalodon which needs a constant food source to survive, this was definitely not a good sign and a sure attack on its livelihood.
Slow reproduction
We know that there is of course no direct and accurate data as far as the Megalodon's reproduction is concerned, yet if we look at its current relatives, we can see that this was probably a species that grew incredibly slowly and also had a low reproductive rate. Large predators additionally have long gestation periods, also get few offspring at a time and invest an awful lot in the young. This makes species like the Megalodon vulnerable during periods of rapid ecological change. If the young barely survive and the adults age less or can mate less frequently due to food scarcity or competition, a population can shrink drastically in a short time, this even without mass mortality.
What if the Megalodon had not gone extinct?
In particular, let us now consider an imaginary scenario in which the Megalodon really did survive for millions of years and were still swimming around in our oceans today, what could this mean for us?
Changes in the marine ecosystem
The Megalodon was simply at the top of the food chain, should it still be alive the Megalodon would have a true impact on the populations of our current whales, dolphins and other large marine mammals. It is likely that many current marine mammals would be in smaller numbers, or would have adapted to stay away from the Megalodon.
Moreover, its presence would possibly influence the behaviour of other predators, such as orcas and great white sharks. Instead of being apex predators, they might have to step back.
Impact on fishing and shipping
We suspect that an adult Megalodon would try to avoid the really big ships, but medium-sized boats could certainly be at risk. Consider fishing boats or diving expeditions. Furthermore, we would also have to adjust shipping routes if these monsters claimed a certain area as territory.
Looking at our fisheries, it would become hugely complex. For instance, on one hand, the Megalodon could ensure that heavy population control is already present and especially in terms of tuna and also swordfish. On the other hand, its hunting of marine mammals could alter the ecosystem in such a way that commercial fish stocks indirectly decline or shift.
Impact on tourism and recreation
Would you still really go into the sea with peace of mind if you knew the Megalodon was hiding somewhere around here? We can probably tell you that beaches near Megalodon sightings would probably definitely have to be closed. Marine warning systems would basically become as normal as we currently have for jellyfish and sharks.
Of course, tourism could also certainly increase, just think of anyone who would love to see a Megalodon. This with submarines or heavily protected diving cages, of course this is absurd and could never occur, but think of the possibilities. The Megalodon would be a world-class tourist attraction if properly managed and safely organised.
The media and pop culture
A Megalodon is a huge icon in its own right, just think of the films like The Meg and also the countless documentaries. Know that if the Megalodon still really existed, it would probably become the undisputed star of the nature documentary world. In addition , various scientific expeditions, reality shows, books and even streaming services would all capitalise on the fascination with this mythical predatory fish.
Educational programmes would also change. Children would learn about the Megalodon as a still-living species, and perhaps even take classes on how to behave in areas where the animals are found, just like bears or crocodiles.
Protection and conservation
Yet despite its gigantic power, the Megalodon is said to be on a conservation list. As with many large predators, it could be threatened by pollution, climate change and human intervention.
The marine area in which the Megalodon would breed or hunt would be designated a protected nature reserve. Here, in turn, international treaties could then appear for the conservation of this rare species. In addition, illegal hunts could emerge, this for their teeth or other body parts that could serve as a trophy.
Could the Megalodon adapt to today's ocean?
Of course, it is incredibly tempting to think that the Megalodon could do perfectly well in our system, yet this is really not a certainty. After all, our oceans are incredibly heavily polluted, overfished and because of the noise pollution from shipping and all the drilling for oil, the Megalodon can still have a very hard time. Besides, it is also a very different ocean than it was millions of years ago.
A species like the Megalodon, which was used to abundance and a very different climate balance, would possibly have difficulty with our current conditions. Its giant size could also be a disadvantage in a world where food resources are sometimes scarce.
In addition, there is also a possibility that the Megalodon might have adapted in recent years, i.e. it might have become smaller and also smarter in terms of hunting. In addition, the Megalodon's diet could also have actually adapted to fish and squid.
Conclusion
We at Megalodontand.nl believe that if the Megalodon were alive today, our oceans and also lives would look completely different. Think about the ecological chains to tourism, but also from fishing to international legislation. Really everything could be affected by the giant shark.
But what this line of thinking actually shows most of all is how fascinating life in our oceans actually is. This even without a living Megalodon. The sea simply remains a place full of wonders and also mysteries that still help us learn every day.
Perhaps that is also why the Megalodon captures the imagination so much. Not just because of its size, but because it symbolises everything big, powerful and at the same time unknown about marine life.
And whether it actually still swims somewhere or lives on only in our imagination, the Megalodon has firmly cemented its place in our collective consciousness.