A recent study has reshaped our understanding of megalodon (Otodus megalodon), the legendary prehistoric shark that ruled the oceans millions of years ago. Long believed to resemble an oversized great white shark, new research suggests it was actually sleeker and more streamlined, similar to a lemon shark.
A Leaner, More Efficient Predator
For years, researchers have based megalodon reconstructions on the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), assuming the two species shared a similar body structure. However, a team led by paleontologist Kenshu Shimada from DePaul University took a broader approach, analyzing 145 living shark species and 20 extinct relatives.
According to the study published in Palaeontologia Electronica, megalodon’s body was longer and more hydrodynamic, built for cruising the open ocean rather than ambush hunting. The new model suggests a sleek, energy-efficient design that enabled the shark to move through water with minimal resistance, covering vast distances in search of prey.
A Fresh Look At Megalodon’s True Size
Estimating the size of a species that went extinct 3.6 million years ago is no easy task. Fossilized vertebrae found near Belgium have long been used as a reference, suggesting megalodon reached between 13 and 18 meters (43 to 59 feet) in length. But the latest study paints a more impressive picture.
Using a detailed anatomical analysis, scientists estimated that the head and tail alone accounted for nearly 50% of the shark’s total length. This means that a fully grown megalodon could reach 24.3 meters (80 feet)—roughly the length of two school buses lined up end to end.
Even more intriguing, vertebrae discovered in Denmark indicate that some individuals may have been even larger than previously believed.
Why Megalodon’s Shape Mattered?
Unlike the great white shark, which has a chunky, muscular build designed for quick bursts of speed, megalodon appears to have evolved for sustained, energy-efficient movement. This design is more in line with lemon sharks, whale sharks, and even some whales, all of which use their streamlined bodies to minimize drag and maximize endurance.
With this shape, megalodon could have cruised at speeds of 2.1 to 3.5 kilometers per hour (1.3 to 2.2 miles per hour), relying on short bursts of acceleration to capture prey. This adaptation may have been crucial for its dominance as an apex predator, allowing it to patrol vast oceanic regions while conserving energy.
The Evolution of Marine Giants
One of the most significant takeaways from this study is how body shape influences gigantism in marine species. It’s not just about being big—size must be supported by an efficient body structure. The bulkier design of the great white limits its maximum size to around 6 meters (20 feet) because of the high energy demands of its swimming style.
According to marine biologist Phillip Sternes, formerly of the University of California Riverside, this research reshapes how scientists study size evolution in ocean predators. “This research not only refines our understanding of what megalodon looked like, but it also provides a framework for studying how size influences movement in marine animals.”
