How and When Did Megalodon Go Extinct?

🦈 Megalodon Extinction FAQ
❓ What was Megalodon?
Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) was a colossal prehistoric shark that ruled the oceans from roughly 23 million to 2.6 million years ago, during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs2. It could reach lengths of up to 60 feet, making it one of the largest marine predators in Earth’s history3.
🕰️ When did Megalodon go extinct?
Megalodon is believed to have gone extinct around 2.6 million years ago, at the end of the Pliocene epoch, just before the start of the Ice Ages (Pleistocene)3.
🌍 Why did Megalodon go extinct?
Scientists propose several overlapping causes:
Climate Change: Global cooling led to shrinking warm-water habitats.
Food Chain Disruption: Decline in baleen whales—Megalodon’s primary prey—due to oceanic changes.
Competition: Rise of great white sharks and early killer whales created fierce competition for food.
Geological Shifts: The formation of the Isthmus of Panama altered ocean currents and isolated populations.
🦷 Are there any recent Megalodon fossils?
Most Megalodon fossils—primarily teeth—date to the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. Claims of Pleistocene fossils exist but are considered unreliable.
🌊 Could Megalodon still exist today?
Highly unlikely. Despite popular myths and cryptid lore, no credible evidence supports the idea that Megalodon survives in modern oceans. Its extinction is well-supported by the fossil record.
🧠 Bonus: What makes Megalodon teeth so collectible?
Size & Serration: Teeth up to 7 inches long with razor-like edges.
Color Variants: Fossilization creates stunning enamel/root combos—blues, oranges, jet blacks—that drive collector demand.
Provenance: Teeth from specific formations (e.g., Calvert Cliffs, Bone Valley) carry premium value.