Great Whites May Have Taken Out Megalodon 3.6 Million Years Ago | SciShow News

TL;DR

Megalodon, the largest shark, went extinct 3.6 million years ago due to competition with great white sharks.

Transcript

This episode of SciShow is sponsored by Skillshare { ♪INTRO } Megalodon is the largest shark that’s ever existed. Picture a great white, but up to three times the size! And according to Hollywood it’s alive and well, the superstar of summer blockbuster action movies. But according to scientists, it’s definitely extinct. In fact, it’s even more exti... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫤 Megalodon went extinct 3.6 million years ago due to competition with great white sharks.
• ⚾ Study corrected previous estimates of megalodon extinction based on unreliable data.
• 🦈 Sevengill sharks have become top predators off South Africa, likely due to the decline in great white sharks.
• 🦈 Great white sharks have disappeared from regular sightings off the coast of South Africa, leading to the rise of sevengill sharks.
• 🦈 Researchers are monitoring the situation to understand the disappearance of great white sharks and the impact of sevengill sharks as new top predators.
• 🤍 The decline in great white sharks may affect ecosystem dynamics in the area.
• 👶 Skillshare sponsors the episode, offering classes for new business owners to navigate competition and launch successful ventures.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did megalodon go extinct?

Megalodon likely went extinct around 3.6 million years ago due to competition with great white sharks for food, as they were becoming more common and widespread at that time.

Q: How did scientists determine the extinction date of megalodon?

Scientists used the optimal linear estimation technique and carefully vetted fossils to estimate megalodon went extinct 3.6 million years ago, correcting an earlier estimate based on more unreliable data.

Q: What predator has replaced great white sharks off the coast of South Africa?

Sevengill sharks have become top predators off the coast of South Africa in the absence of great white sharks, feeding on marine mammals, other sharks, and rays.

Q: Why have great white sharks disappeared off the coast of South Africa?

The reason for the disappearance of great white sharks is unclear, but researchers are monitoring the situation to determine if they can bounce back and how the ecosystem dynamics will change with sevengill sharks as top predators.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Megalodon, the largest shark ever, went extinct due to competition with great white sharks.

• New study suggests megalodon went extinct 3.6 million years ago, a million years earlier than previously thought.

• Sevengill sharks are now top predators off the coast of South Africa, replacing great white sharks.