Marine predators may depend on their interactions with geographically discreteĬommunities and (3) the inherent characteristics of shark species can produce stable Instance, our results suggest that (1) a selective pressure in predatory sharks forĬonsuming a broader range of prey may favor larger individuals and produce left-skewedĭistributions on a geologic time scale (2) body-size variations in cosmopolitan apex Perspective to the understanding of the body-size trends of marine apex predators. megalodon is a relatively long-lived species with a widelyĭistributed fossil record, we further used this study system to provide a deep-time megalodon (i.e., no net changes over time),Ĭontrasting with the trends of the megatooth lineage and our hypothesis. Finally, we found that stasis was the general Variation (possibly as a result of the heterogeneous ecological constraints of thisĬosmopolitan species) over geologic time. Selective pressure favoring larger individuals), and presented significant geographic Megalodon body-size distribution was left-skewed (suggesting a long-term megalodon also displayed this trend, increasing in size over timeĪnd reaching its largest size prior to extinction. Group of species that shows a purported size increase through time, we hypothesized thatĬ. Given that this species was the last of the megatooth lineage, a Megalodon through its temporal and geographic range to better understand itsĮcology and evolution. Here, we studied the body-size trends of C. Nonetheless, little is known about its body-size variations
If the snake can drag the shark into shallow water, this fight is over.The extinct shark Carcharocles megalodon is one of the largest marineĪpex predators ever to exist. Titanoboa must crush the megalodon and collapse its organs or block its gill openings. And while that massive snake’s jaw opens 1.8 m (6 ft) wide, it’s not enough to swallow this aquatic beast whole. They have gills that absorb oxygen from the water. With over 276 kilopascals (400 psi) of pressure, the titanoboa could put the squeeze on the megalodon.īut sharks don’t have lungs. The serpent would coil itself tightly around its prey and squeeze hard, trying to choke the life out of the megalodon. And as the megalodon thrashes around, those meat hooks would dig deeper into the shark’s flesh. If the snake dives into the water, it could sink its curved teeth into the shark. If the megalodon swims right under the snake, the titanoboa could attack before the shark knows what hit it. Titanoboa stalked its prey by hiding in water or between trees and waiting for the perfect moment to strike, which might take days. This ability could allow the meg to strike first.īut this serpentine predator has a few tricks of its own. Some sharks have electroreceptors that detect electrical fields, the energy their prey generates. Or, it could use its incredible superpower. The megalodon’s amazing sense of smell might detect the giant snake first. But will this killer meet its match against the fearsome titanoboa? That jaw is strong enough to crush a car. And check out this massive jaw spanning 3 m (10 ft) wide with 276 teeth inside. Growing to a length of 18 m (60 ft), these beasts measured three times longer than the largest great white shark ever recorded. These sharks hunted in the oceans 20 million years ago, but they went extinct 3.6 million years ago. The megalodon is one of the largest predators that ever lived. How could this mega-snake overpower the mega-shark? What superpower would give the shark an advantage? And which animal would tower above the other?īefore the carnage begins, let’s break down the stats on these fighters. From the jungle marsh to the deep ocean, you can expect a megalodon-titanoboa fight to be an epic brawl that would go down in history. Today, we’re going back in time to see two terrifying predators. It’s the matchup you’ve been waiting for, the clash between some of the biggest titans that ever roamed the Earth.
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