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Tue, March 11, 2025

Massive megalodon was even longer than scientists thought


Published on 2025-03-11 14:42:46 - CNN
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  • Megalodon may have been up to 80 feet long, but the colossal extinct shark was also probably thinner than scientists previously thought, according to a new study.

The article from MSN discusses a recent study published in the journal *Paleontologia Electronica* which suggests that the prehistoric megalodon shark was significantly larger than previously estimated. Scientists have traditionally estimated the megalodon's length based on the size of its teeth, but this new research indicates that the vertebrae, which are more reliable for size estimation, show that the megalodon could grow to lengths of up to 65 feet (20 meters). This finding challenges earlier assumptions that pegged the maximum length at around 50 feet. The study utilized a new method of comparing the vertebrae of the megalodon with those of its modern relative, the great white shark, to come up with these revised estimates. This revelation not only changes our understanding of the megalodon's size but also its ecological role and the dynamics of ancient marine ecosystems.

Read the Full CNN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/massive-megalodon-was-even-longer-than-scientists-thought/ar-AA1AHHH1 ]