Study: Megalodon’s Body Shape Was Closer to a Lemon Shark
Recent research indicates that the ancient megalodon likely had a body shape more akin to that of a lemon shark rather than the stocky form of a great white shark, as previously thought. This conclusion is supported by an analysis of fossilized vertebrae, which suggests a slender build that would have been more efficient for swimming and hunting. The study also posits that baby megalodons were comparable in size to great white sharks and capable of predation from a young age.
- This research not only reshapes our understanding of megalodon’s biology but also highlights how evolutionary adaptations can influence the physical characteristics and behaviors of massive marine predators.
- What implications could this new understanding of megalodon's anatomy have on our perceptions of ancient marine ecosystems and predator-prey dynamics?