Megalodon

Overview

Otodus megalodon was an extinct shark, not a marine reptile. It lived from about 23 million years ago until at least 3.6 million years ago. Most fossils are teeth because shark skeletons are largely cartilage; a 2025 study proposed a maximum length of 24.3 metres using vertebral fossils, while earlier tooth-based estimates were lower.

“Megalodon teeth can reach about 18 centimetres long. A 2025 study using vertebral fossils proposed a larger body-size estimate than earlier tooth-based calculations.”

Key facts

Size & simulator stats

A 2025 vertebra-based study proposed up to 24.3 m. Earlier tooth-based estimates were about 15–18 m; no complete skeleton is known, so maximum size remains debated.

Length

18 m

Height

3 m

Weight

50.0 t

See how Megalodon measures up in the sourced size comparison chart.

Habitat

Warm marine waters around the world during the Miocene and Pliocene.

Warm tropical and subtropical seas around the world; fossils occur on every continent except Antarctica.

Diet

A large predatory shark. Tooth marks on fossil marine mammals provide evidence of feeding, though prey and hunting behavior varied.

Carnivore. Fossil bite marks and teeth indicate it ate large fish, sharks, and marine mammals, including whales.

Fossils & discovery

First described from Fossil record (Multiple fossil formations).Megalodon teeth can reach about 18 centimetres long. A 2025 study using vertebral fossils proposed a larger body-size estimate than earlier tooth-based calculations.

Research sources

• Shimada et al. (2025): Megalodon body size and form, Palaeontologia Electronica
• Natural History Museum: Megalodon size estimates

Sources checked on September 28, 2026 by the Dinosaurs Names Editorial Team. Editorial policy

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