How did Megalodon become extinct?

The gigantic ancient shark known as the megalodon, or "mega-tooth shark," existed between 23 and 3.6 million years ago. Some estimates place the length of this enormous predator at around 60 feet, making it among the biggest and most dreadful marine animals imaginable. Despite its terrifying reputation, the megalodon is no longer alive, and experts have been debating the causes of its extinction for years.

image credit: Open Access Government

According to one theory, the earth's temperature changed and led to the extinction of the megalodon. The climate of the planet was far colder than it is today throughout the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. This resulted in the construction of ice sheets and a reduction in sea ice, which in turn caused plankton, the megalodon's main food supply, to decline. The megalodon population would have decreased without an adequate food source, eventually resulting in extinction.

Another theory contends that competition from other marine predators may have contributed to the demise of the megalodon. The megalodon may have been forced to compete with other shark species for food when its prey became rare, which ultimately contributed to its extinction.

A third theory holds that a variety of circumstances, including climatic change and competition from other marine predators, contributed to the demise of the megalodon. The megalodon may have been forced to compete with other sharks for food as the earth's temperature changed and its food source diminished, finally causing its demise.

One thing is obvious despite the continued controversy around the reason for the megalodon's demise: this enormous predator was among the most terrifying animals to ever swim in the ocean, and its extinction signifies the end of an era in the history of the planet.

image credit: Florida Museum

In conclusion, the megalodon was a large, extinct ancient shark that existed between 23 and 3.6 million years ago. Scientists continue to disagree on the cause of its disappearance, with hypotheses ranging from climate change to competition with other marine predators. Additionally, some experts contend that it can be a mix of the two causes. One thing is certain: the demise of the megalodon heralds the end of an era in the history of the planet.