Carcharocles megalodon
 From: http://www.pibburns.com/cryptost/megalodo.htm
Carcharocles megalodon, sometimes
called Carcharodon megalodon, was a giant shark similar to, but much
larger than, the modern great white shark Carcharodon carcharias.
Megalodon may have been the largest predator ever to have lived.
The maximum size reached by Megalodon is still debated, but a length
of 15 to 20 meters is widely accepted. This means megalodon was at
least three times larger than the great white.
Megalodon probably became extinct around the end of the Pliocene
about two million years ago. Some believe megalodon is not yet
extinct and point to finds of teeth with ages around 11,000 to
24,000 years as well as sightings of large sharks by fishermen.
For example, in 1918 lobster fishermen from New Zealand reported
spotting a shark whose length they estimated exceeded 30 meters.
However, like the great white shark of today, megalodon probably
lived in shallow coastal waters. It should have been spotted often
if it still existed. See Ben S. Roesch's article which argues against
the survival of the megalodon to the present.
Whale Shark
Madagascar #1282
Issued 1993
The whale shark Rhincodon typus (right) may explain some "megalodon" reports.
The whale shark is the largest known fish. It reaches a length
of 15m and a weight of 18 metric tons. The top of the whale shark
is colored a deep blue while its underside is white. White spots
and vertical lines mark its body. The whale shark feeds on small
fish and plankton. It is considered harmless to humans. Encounters
with a "megalodon" described as covered in white spots
probably originate with sightings of the whale shark.
|
