Megalodon new evidence. Shark submarine
In the summer of 2014, several orbital complexes of a number of countries (which increases the chances of the information being veracious) detected large underwater objects at shallow depths in the area of the Pacific island Papua New Guinea.
These objects:
- did not have dimensions and shapes corresponding to certain underwater/surface military assets;
- showed little activity, sometimes completely hiding in ocean depths Oh;
- were large for ordinary biological forms;
- long time could be lurking in the depths, which denies their analogy with whales.
The opinions of scientists on this matter are identical: these unusual objects in body shape and behavior - sharks, but very big sharks. No individual great white shark has ever reached a length exceeding 16 meters. Namely, such “dimensional” data were recorded by instruments from space.
In addition, the location where these “super sharks” were found is directly close to Mariana Trench– the place of the supposed mysterious “registration” of the megalodon.
Similar information was broadcast by the radars of submarines in our country, Japan and China. But the object was “tracked” by sound-location systems already further from the island of Papua, namely in the waters of the Philippines.
The sailors noticed, however, that the mysterious stranger was clearly “withdrawing” from communicating with them, also making attempts to dive to very great depths.
The data on its parametric data coincided with the information from the satellites, the nature of the movement corresponded to the “behavior” of a living creature, not a machine, and the reaction to signals from submarines was also distinguished by the unpredictability of living biology.
Experts' comments on underwater encounters between submarines and a discovered object similar to a living megalodon are as follows:
- Sizes and shapes are quite suitable for a large shark.
- The non-aggressiveness of the object can be explained by a number of reasons, among which the main one is the caution of the predator.
“Yes, it is quite possible that megalodon remained alive today, including thanks to such a new quality as caution,” says Max Brut from the University of Florida. - Such large predator today he must hide “from prying eyes” not because he is weak or not hungry, but because it new round its evolution.
The nature of megalodon is certainly transformed by modern conditions ocean life. The same instinct of self-preservation comes into play here.
Could megalodon have been alive if it had remained at its previous level of adaptive capabilities? No, of course not. I would not be surprised that if this superpredator is ever caught, then in its skull we will find completely different brains from its long-time ancient relative.
You understand, the strongest survive, including if rationality is present in his strength.”
Of course, the megalodon's caution does not negate its predatory behavior. It’s just that this monster’s aggression has become more or less targeted. We already know how much energy any attack takes from a shark, and not all of them are effective in most cases.
It is quite obvious that hunting a megalodon is also a “troublesome” matter. As scientists have calculated, a living monster needs up to 1.2 thousand kg of food. Killing such a quantity of live weight is clearly not easy, especially in the depleted biocenosis of the modern ocean.
In 2014, there were three cases, similar in the development of events and consequences, and demonstrating facts of attacks by large animal species of sharks on ships and fishing boats.
What these paintings had in common was:
- Proximity of water areas - all three episodes happened in Pacific Ocean, in its western and southern parts at great depths.
- The hull of the boat was damaged - large cracks in the bottom or huge holes in the side parts.
- The attacks occurred either when a boat or ship removed gear with a catch, or when it was placed at certain points.
- In all cases, the attack was accompanied by the appearance of a large shark fin, severe water disturbance, and in one case, the death of crew members.
- The time of attack was in summer-autumn and early morning.
The consequences of these attacks were also similar - in the body they found whole or parts of huge teeth (over 10 cm, which is many times larger than the teeth of a great white), or traces (dents, imprints) of huge jaws (up to 3 meters in diameter) were found.
In one case, namely an episode on August 15, 2014 in Indonesian waters, a local fishing schooner was almost completely rammed by an underwater object. At the same time, 4 people from the team died.
Scientists who examined the nature and traces of these holes and teeth were also unanimous in their conclusions - they belong to a shark, a predator of very large dimensions and very heavy weight(impact force exceeded 17 tons).
However, it was not even these facts that swayed the scientific community to the unequivocal conclusion that it was a megalodon. Another piece of evidence was discovered there, eliminating any doubt as to whether Megalodon has been alive or dead for thousands of years...
Cases of death also helped to make this unambiguous natural “argumentation” in favor of a living megalodon public large whales both in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Military and industrial sailors several times this year came across the bodies of dead whales with sharks circling near them.
In two cases, the situation allowed these carcasses to be partially examined for the cause of death. And in these two episodes, amazing data was discovered - both animals died from bites by huge jaws. The shapes of this bite were similar to a shark's jaw structure, with only a slight difference!
The upper third tooth was not a shark tooth, or rather, it did not belong to Carcharodon!
It belonged to MEGALODON!
Several years ago, US scientists made a second attempt to reconstruct the jaws of this super shark. The first was implemented at the beginning of the last century and since then has proven its “failure” several times.
This time, the entire megalodon jaw was made up of real teeth, which have been found all over the world. And it was the third upper tooth of his jaw that was the “main link”.
In carcharodon it is located at an angle, but in megalodon it is at a right angle, this gives the appearance of a powerful predator a different look.
Scientists have been putting together this “puzzle” of jaws for a long time oldest shark, and now this tooth is the strongest evidence that megalodon is alive. Otherwise, traces of whose jaw were found both on ships and on whale carcasses?
Traces with a “straight” third tooth are an argument from nature itself!
In 1954, the Australian ship Rachel Cohen landed on major renovation in one of the Adelaide docks. The repairs began with “spring cleaning.” We set out to clean the bottom of the ship from shells, and discovered 17 huge teeth stuck in the hull. Each one measures 8 by 10 cm.
In the entire history of the Earth, only one “fish” could boast of such teeth - megalodon. One problem: it became extinct 1.5 million years ago. Or not?
Horrible on the face, same on the inside
26.5 million years old giant bloodthirsty shark, known as megalodon (Carcharodon megalodon), reigned in the world's oceans. Nothing nature is more terrible haven't created it yet. According to scientists, the length megalodon reached from 20 to 30 meters! And it weighed from 50 to 100 tons. His favorite foods were sperm whales and baleen whales, which he snacked on, as they say, at a time.
Can you imagine the size of the mouth of this monstrous fish if a 10-meter whale was an ordinary hunting object for it? These super predators stood on top food chain. And, so to speak, they kept all aquatic inhabitants in fear.
The huge teeth, which are found throughout the ocean, indicating an incredibly wide distribution of megalodons, are triangular in shape and resemble sharks. The only difference is in scale. The tooth of the largest - the great white shark - does not exceed 6 cm. While in the megalodon the most modest “fang” reaches 10 cm, but the usual size for them is 17-18 cm.
Actually, using these teeth, scientists were able to approximately recreate the appearance and size of the predator, because the most large individuals were female - “megalodonihi”. First they reconstructed the jaw, and then the “figure”, taking into account the fact that the closest relative of megalodons is the great white shark. The result was a kind of “great white”, only more “big-boned”, and also addicted to steroids: the frightening-looking skeleton now flaunts in the Maryland Maritime Museum (USA).
It is simply impossible to pass by and not shudder in horror. A wide skull, massive jaws and a short, blunt snout - an unattractive appearance. As ichthyologists joke, “it’s obvious megalodon was a pig." Next to this giant, a person feels like just a grain of sand. And looking at a 2-meter jaw with 5 rows of teeth makes you shiver. You can’t help but be glad that these monsters are no longer in the ocean.
But is it really not? This is just a big question.
From a geological point of view, animals are considered extinct if no signs of their presence are found for more than 400,000 years. However, let's not forget about the Australian ship Rachel Cohen: tests showed that the teeth found in the bottom of the ship actually belonged to a megalodon. Okay, let's say it was a hoax. But what about the findings of paleontologists and ichthyologists?
The last teeth of megalodons, discovered in the vicinity of Tahiti and in our Baltic Sea, were dated almost as “youthful” - they were given 11 thousand years old. They didn't even have time to petrify properly! Feel the difference: 1.5 million - and 11 thousand years! Don't forget to take into account the fact that only 10% of the world's oceans have been studied. So it may turn out that somewhere out there - in the depths - there are also these “charming fish”.
Would you say that such giant sharks could not go unnoticed? Leave your pride behind. Deep sea shark, known as largemouth, was discovered by humanity only in 1976. And this was completely by accident: one individual got stuck in the anchor chain of a research vessel in the waters near the island of Oahu (Hawaii). 36 years have passed since then, but during all this time largemouth shark seen only 25 times - and then only in the form of corpses on the coast.
The goblin shark, also known as the goblin shark, discovered its presence in the world's oceans in 1897. And before that it was considered long ago and hopelessly extinct.
AND whale shark people first “found” it in 1828, until then remaining blissfully unaware of its existence.
In addition, no one has scanned the World Ocean. And to the coast megalodon will never come closer - its impressive size will not allow it. So this one shark leads a deep-sea lifestyle. How deep? Good question. Sperm whales, for example, are the largest known to science predatory animals, are able to dive to a depth of 3 kilometers and feel great there: they don’t care about water pressure. True, they have to rise to the surface for a breath of air. Megalodons don’t need this either: their gills supply them with oxygen. So it’s too early, too early to cross them off the list of the living!
Meeting with the “beautiful”
A strong argument in favor of the “survivability” of megalodons is given in his book “Sharks and Rays of the Australian Seas” (1963) by the famous Australian ichthyologist David George Stead.
In 1918 he worked for public service and was responsible for commercial fishing in southern waters Australia. And so he was hastily called from the port of Stevenson: local fishermen refuse to go to sea, scared to death by some huge fish- You need specialist advice. Stead hurried to appear. After questioning the fishermen thoroughly, he found out the following.
Following the established order once and for all, early morning The lobster fishermen went to retrieve the traps they had set the day before. We arrived at the place - Bruton Island. Divers went underwater to attach traps to motorboats. The rest of the team quietly awaited their return. However, the divers rose immediately. In panic, they climbed onto the decks, shouting in different voices: “ Shark! Gigantic shark! Let's get out of here immediately!!"
And indeed, in the water surface the fishermen saw the outlines of a huge terrible fish. Without wasting a second, they hurried to leave scary place. And having recovered from horror, the divers said that, having descended to the bottom, they saw an incredibly large ash-white shark. She devoured the placed traps with lobsters and neither anchor chains nor cables stopped her.
According to the stories of the fishermen, it turned out that the shark reached 35 meters in length. And her head was the size of the roof of a boat shed.
The ichthyologist did not immediately believe the fishermen: common sense told him that megalodon(and judging by the size of the shark, it could only be him) there was no way he could resurrect and show up in Australian waters. On the other hand, Stead realized: there is no reason for fishermen to lie and avoid work, because their income depends on the catch. Besides, to invent such a story required a certain amount of imagination. The fishermen were experienced sailors, but not dreamers.
So as a scientist, Stead was a complete fiasco: he could neither refute nor confirm the words of the lobster fishermen. For himself, the ichthyologist concluded: one cannot exclude the fact that megalodons still live in the World Ocean. And you know, we tend to agree with him. Who knows what it hides - this deep blue sea?
Steps No. 22 2012
It finally became extinct more than a million years ago. The name of the species was given by their enormous size, amazing jaws with five rows of sharp teeth. It's hard to believe that megalodon was once the terror of the oceans, and its huge saw teeth gave it an advantage over all marine fauna.
Prehistoric carnivorous sharks ate not only whales - they did not disdain manatees, dolphins, sperm whales and seals, and in their youth, most mega-fry hunted exclusively for large and very large fish.
When did the prehistoric shark live?
The superpredator megalodon shark is considered the closest relative of the more modern predator - the great white shark. Some scientists, however, are skeptical about such a relationship and insist on the common roots of megalodon and now extinct representatives of the family Otodontidae.
The prehistoric megalodon shark successfully hunted the same huge “game” - sperm whales and whales of the Pleistocene era. Existence giant monster is still shrouded in mystery. Details life cycle megalodons are also unknown for certain, since bones and teeth of young individuals are almost never found among the fossilized remains of the sea giant. Scientists have never encountered a shark larger than a megalodon or its fossil remains.
The above facts are indisputable at present, but everything can change after the next excavations, sensational finds and published scientific works.
How did the ancient shark become extinct?
About 1.5-2 million years ago a chain of irreversible climate change, as a result of which many species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles disappeared.
Surprisingly, the largest and most strong predator of that period - the giant shark Megalodon - was unable to adapt to environmental variability.
Megalodons lived the longest in warmer environments at that time. southern hemisphere planets. Scientists associate the extinction of the species with the appearance of huge glaciers - because of this, not only did the directions of the currents change, but they also practically disappeared warm seas on the shelves. In such reservoirs the megalodon shark preferred to hunt its prey. Sperm whales and whales, which were the main “game” for sharks, were able to adapt, successfully “migrating” to distant and cold waters rich in plankton, and therefore have survived to this day.
Ancient sharks (megalodon) could have gone extinct for a more prosaic reason. Relatively small predators- Killer whales, which appeared in the Pliocene era, successfully and massively exterminated the young giants. To grow to size adult, the juvenile megalodons required years and decades. Killer whales have disrupted the status quo by eating virtually defenseless juvenile sharks.
The giant predators were unable to cope with the more agile and cunning killer whales and were unable to protect their species, like many other prehistoric giants.
What did the ancient shark look like?
What does a megalodon shark look like? Huge and very, very impressive. Megalodons differed from their large white “cousin” by a flatter head shape. The flat muzzle and closely spaced eyes most likely made prehistoric sharks unpleasant and frightening - the “pig snout” of a carcass weighing several tens of tons can scare anyone. Unusual structure the skeleton was necessary so that predators could hunt huge waterfowl mammals with strong bones and equally hard skin without injury.
The size and shape of the ancient superpredator is amazing modern people. Many scientists at first did not believe in the existence of such giants. The skeletal anatomy, size of the mouth, structure of the teeth and overall weight of the megalodon make it an outstanding creation of nature.
More than 40 tons of weight and 16 m of length are not the limit; experts do not doubt the existence of remains larger size. Photographs of eighteen-centimeter teeth that have flown around the world have made it possible to compare megalodons with killer whales, sperm whales and whales. Later research proved that megalodon was much, much larger than any modern ocean inhabitant.
How and who did the largest shark, the megalodon, hunt?
Studies of vertebrae, skeletons and jaws even made it possible to draw conclusions about the method of hunting. Most likely, in a duel “megalodon versus white shark,” the first predator will simply swallow the second and not even notice. For example, megalodons hunted ancient cetaceans and sperm whales in the following way: if the prey was relatively small, then with one swift attack, the bite of giant teeth, the monster literally tore out huge pieces of flesh and broke bones, as a result of which the “game” died from terrible injuries and internal bleeding .
Appeared in the Pliocene era large whales demanded new tactics and strategies. Megalodon shark was able to adapt to more big fish- predators simply tore off the swimming limbs of such cetaceans with their huge jaws with five rows of teeth. Bleeding and immobilized prey became dinner for the predator.
The largest shark, megalodon, left people with many reminders of itself on the fossil bones of Pliocene cetaceans.
Megalodon in modern times
In the mid-50s. 20th century The ship "Rachel Cohen" arrived at the docks of a major international port - Adelaide. The ship needed a major overhaul, which promised to be lengthy and very difficult.
Cleaning is a common procedure before repair; All plating located below the waterline - the sides and bottom (underwater parts of the ship's hull) - must be cleaned.
The result of the cleanup was the discovery of unknown fossil artifacts, which scientists later recognized as the teeth of the largest and most formidable predator - megalodon. The huge 17 fossils presented specialists with many surprises, the first of which was their approximate age.
However, respectable professors did not pay attention to the find, but cryptozoologists and ufologists of all stripes began to intensively search for the fish, and the newspapers of that time were full of headlines “Megalodon shark is alive!”
Does Megalodon Exist Now?
Thoughts on existence basking sharks in the 20th century, the inquisitive minds of scientists and the “experts in the unknown” who joined them never left the depths of the ocean. Some ichthyologists and paleontologists began to dig in all directions, thanks to which from the 60s. Many fossilized teeth and vertebrae of megalodons were found, as well as imprints of their terrible jaws on the bones of whales.
Whether the discovery of teeth in Adelaide was a hoax is not known for certain. Man still knows very little about the World Ocean, and to some of its corners modern technologies It won't take long to get there.
Megalodon - a monster shark - may well lurk in the depths and suddenly appear in the face of stunned humanity, like a jack-in-the-box.
Where is Megalodon hiding?
A huge colossus weighing 47 tons is unlikely to be able to “sneak” past modern radars and other technological devices - scientists console ordinary people.
But stubborn facts - finds and encounters - indicate that the megalodon monster shark is alive and well, it’s just that humans have not yet reached its habitat.
Among possible places The Mariana Trench is often mentioned, because no one knows what is really happening there. Faithful supporters of theories about the existence whole population prehistoric predators today, only a few cryptozoologists remain. However, the latter, as they should be, have not yet been able to prove anything.
The mysterious megalodon is sometimes encountered on the routes of research and fishing vessels, but from unclear photographs and video recordings it is impossible to say exactly what it is. sea giant rushed past the frightened people.
Megalodon and man
Photos of huge skeletons and jaws sea predators suggest that humanity arose for a reason after these cute fish finally disappeared from the face of the Earth.
Humans and megalodons have most likely never seen each other face to face. It is unknown how a prehistoric predator at the very top of the food chain would have reacted to its direct competitor in the ocean.
The closest known relatives of megalodons - great white sharks - do not disdain human flesh, although their attacks cannot be called systematic. Ichthyologists still do not know what makes sharks attack - an innate bad character, poor eyesight, gastronomic preferences, or completely other reasons unknown to us.
For prehistoric megalodon(By at least adults) humans are small prey, unworthy of attention. But with the cubs of ancient predators, not everything is so smooth. According to research results, the latter, at certain periods of their adolescence, ate fish and small marine mammals. In terms of size and weight, a person can easily be mistaken for a seal or the baby of another animal, which means there is likely gastronomic interest on the part of the young of ancient giant sharks.
Last encounter with megalodon
Famous ichthyologist David Stead of the 20th century once wrote a book based on his many years of observations of marine life. The rather controversial facts that he cited in his work formed the basis of many modern theories about the existence of extinct species.
In particular, it was Stead’s books that prompted many scientists and pseudoscientists of our time to think about the possible existence of megalodon side by side with humans.
The meeting with the unknown, according to D. Stead, took place in 1918. Between fishermen and prehistoric giant A constructive dialogue did not work out, and they separated like ships at sea.
Upon arrival at the scene, Stead heard terrible story of a horror from the deep that floated past and left the lobstermen silent and gray. The meeting took place near Bruton, when the fishermen went fishing - checking traps and collecting caught prey.
Following a set and practiced routine, the divers plunged into the sea to inspect the nets and attach full traps to the boats.
Suddenly, the people remaining on the deck noticed a huge shadow under the water, and a few seconds later the scuba divers literally jumped out of the water with wild screams.
Divers described in great detail a giant monster with a pig's snout, which non-stop devoured prey along with nets and iron cages. Thick ropes and even an anchor chain could not stop the creature - the ash-white giant, dozens of times larger than any shark they had seen, easily cut through the chains.
According to the testimony of frightened but living eyewitnesses, the size of the creature in the water was about 30-35 meters; the huge head of the creature, larger than the average boathouse, especially struck the imagination of the fishermen.
Like a true scientist, David Stead did not immediately believe the fable, mistaking the story for good old fishing tales. But after much thought, the ichthyologist came to the conclusion that such an invention requires not only imagination and a lot of free time, but also good knowledge of paleontology. Ordinary fishermen hardly knew about latest news from paleontological excavations, and ancient fossils are probably the last thing lobster fishermen are interested in.
Since Stead did publish this adventure in his work, there is still no need to rush to dismiss the possibility of the existence of a prehistoric superpredator in the 20th century.
Prehistoric megalodon shark and relatively “fresh” fossils
Based on the results of numerous examinations, studies, experiments and analyses, conclusions and headlines like “There is a monster shark! Megalodon is alive and found! - complete nonsense.
However, frightening discoveries that are found around the world indicate the possibility that a small error has crept into the calculations of the outstanding minds of mankind.
The teeth, found in the Tahiti region and the Baltic, belonged to individuals that lived only 11,000 years ago. The declared period of extinction of megalodons is 1.5-2 million years ago. Relatively young age remains may indicate the mysteries that the ocean still hides.
Does the megalodon shark exist somewhere in the deep? It's very possible. Sperm whales and whales are equipped by nature to dive safely and systematically to great depths. Perhaps the ancient megalodon had similar “devices” that helped it hunt large fish.
White shark and megalodon: main differences
White shark and megalodon differ not only in size and shape. The main difference of the second is considered to be a much stronger structure of the skeleton and jaws and a powerful backbone. According to the results of recent research, megalodons had almost the most great strength bite - tens of times more than that of a modern white shark. Zoologist Stephen Uro compared the bite power of megalodon with that of other superpredators - tyrannosaurs and deinosuchus.
Such significant differences in the anatomy of two similar “relatives” are easily explained - different conditions existence, methods of hunting and its main objects.
The relationship between sharks and megalodons has not been proven, and there are no answers to other questions about their habitat prehistoric predator and causes of extinction.
What Megalodon and its distant ancestors looked like, what it ate and where they lived - these are complex questions; unambiguous answers to them can only be obtained by finding confirming or refuting modern theories facts. Scientists continue to argue about megalodons, and archaeological sites continue to contain ambiguous, controversial, or even counterintuitive evidence.
In the summer of 2014, several orbital systems from a number of countries (which increases the chances of the information being veracious) detected large underwater objects at shallow depths in the area of the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea.
These objects:
They did not have dimensions and shapes corresponding to certain underwater/surface military assets;
- showed little activity, sometimes completely hiding in the ocean depths;
- were large for ordinary biological forms;
- could lurk in the depths for a long time, which denies their analogy with whales.
The opinions of scientists on this matter are identical: these unusual objects in body shape and behavior are sharks, but very large sharks. No individual great white shark has ever reached a length exceeding 16 meters. Namely, such “dimensional” data were recorded by instruments from space.
In addition, the location where these “super-sharks” were discovered is directly close to the Mariana Trench - the place of the supposed mysterious “registration” of the megalodon.
Similar information was broadcast by the radars of submarines in our country, Japan and China. But the object was “tracked” by sound-location systems already further from the island of Papua, namely in the waters of the Philippines.
The sailors noticed, however, that the mysterious stranger was clearly “withdrawing” from communicating with them, also making attempts to dive to very great depths.
The data on its parametric data coincided with the information from the satellites, the nature of the movement corresponded to the “behavior” of a living creature, not a machine, and the reaction to signals from submarines was also distinguished by the unpredictability of living biology.
Experts' comments on underwater encounters between submarines and a discovered object similar to a living megalodon are as follows:
The sizes and shapes are quite suitable for a large shark.
- The non-aggressiveness of the object can be explained by a number of reasons, among which the main one is the caution of the predator.
“Yes, it is quite possible that megalodon remained alive today, including thanks to such a new quality as caution,” says Max Brut from the University of Florida. – Such a large predator today should hide “from prying eyes” not because it is weak or not hungry, but because this is a new round of its evolution.
The nature of megalodon is certainly being transformed to suit modern ocean living conditions. The same instinct of self-preservation comes into play here.
Could megalodon have been alive if it had remained at its previous level of adaptive capabilities? No, of course not. I would not be surprised that if this superpredator is ever caught, then in its skull we will find completely different brains from its long-time ancient relative.
You understand, the strongest survive, including if rationality is present in his strength.”
Of course, the megalodon's caution does not negate its predatory behavior. It’s just that this monster’s aggression has become more or less targeted. We already know how much energy any attack takes from a shark, and not all of them are effective in most cases.
It is quite obvious that hunting a megalodon is also a “troublesome” matter. As scientists have calculated, a living monster needs up to 1.2 thousand kg of food. Killing such a quantity of live weight is clearly not easy, especially in the depleted biocenosis of the modern ocean.
In 2014, there were three cases, similar in the development of events and consequences, and demonstrating facts of attacks by large animal species of sharks on ships and fishing boats.
What these paintings had in common was:
Proximity of water areas - all three episodes occurred in the Pacific Ocean, in its western and southern parts at great depths.
- The hull of the boat was damaged - large cracks in the bottom or huge holes in the side parts.
- The attacks occurred either when a boat or ship removed gear with a catch, or when it was placed at certain points.
- In all cases, the attack was accompanied by the appearance of a large shark fin above the water, severe water disturbance, and in one case, the death of crew members.
- The time of attack was in summer-autumn and early morning.
The consequences of these attacks were also similar - in the body they found whole or parts of huge teeth (over 10 cm, which is many times larger than the teeth of a great white), or traces (dents, imprints) of huge jaws (up to 3 meters in diameter) were found.
In one case, namely an episode on August 15, 2014 in Indonesian waters, a local fishing schooner was almost completely rammed by an underwater object. At the same time, 4 people from the team died.
Scientists who examined the nature and traces of these holes and teeth were also unanimous in their conclusions - they belong to a shark, a predator of very large dimensions and very heavy weight (the impact force exceeded 17 tons).
However, it was not even these facts that swayed the scientific community to the unequivocal conclusion that it was a megalodon. Another piece of evidence was discovered there, eliminating any doubt as to whether Megalodon has been alive or dead for thousands of years...
Cases of death of large whales in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans also helped to publicize this unambiguous natural “argument” in favor of a living megalodon. Military and industrial sailors several times this year came across the bodies of dead whales with sharks circling near them.
In two cases, the situation allowed these carcasses to be partially examined for the cause of death. And in these two episodes, amazing data was discovered - both animals died from bites by huge jaws. The shapes of this bite were similar to a shark's jaw structure, with only a slight difference!
The upper third tooth was not a shark tooth, or rather, it did not belong to Carcharodon!
It belonged to MEGALODON!
Several years ago, US scientists made a second attempt to reconstruct the jaws of this super shark. The first was implemented at the beginning of the last century and since then has proven its “failure” several times.
This time, the entire megalodon jaw was made up of real teeth, which have been found all over the world. And it was the third upper tooth of his jaw that was the “main link”.
In carcharodon it is located at an angle, but in megalodon it is at a right angle, this gives the appearance of a powerful predator a different look.
Scientists have been putting together this “puzzle” of the jaws of the oldest shark for a long time, and now this tooth is the strongest evidence that megalodon is alive. Otherwise, traces of whose jaw were found both on ships and on whale carcasses?
Traces with a “straight” third tooth are an argument from nature itself!
Most ichthyologists believe that the fearsome white sharks, called “megalodon,” have long since become extinct. However, there are theories and facts that suggest that the submarine shark (as this subspecies of white sharks is nicknamed) still lives somewhere out there, in the abyss of the ocean depths, inaccessible to humans. Let's try to understand this issue based on the records of scientists, their findings and theories.
The Story of David George Stead
David George Stead was one of the most famous and respected scientists in the field of ichthyology. It was his story, published after his death, that became a real sensation and made it possible to doubt what does not exist.
In 1918, the young scientist worked in Australia and was responsible for commercial fishing in Southern Shores. At this time, from a major port to government agency, who is responsible for the fishery, receives a letter demanding a thorough check of one sensitive issue. Fishermen claimed that there was a fish near the coast of Australia terrible creature, an unknown fish of such threatening size that they are all afraid to go out to sea.
A terrible meeting
A heartbreaking story awaited him on the shore... The fishermen on the ship went out to sea and went to the place where lobster traps were fixed in the depths. The divers, having descended into the depths in order to unhook the cables of the traps, rose to the top with incredible speed. Quickly climbing onto the deck, they reported that there was a huge shark in the depths. Divers said that the shark easily swallowed the traps with the catch one after another. But they were secured with steel cables! And it didn’t bother her at all. Suddenly the shark appeared before the eyes of the rest of the fishing team. Forgetting about the catch, they quickly started the engines and left the terrible place.
Of course, as a scientist, David George Stead understood that sharks with a body length of more than thirty meters could not exist. But there was no point in lying to the frightened fishermen. No one then decided to go and check and get any evidence. The fishermen flatly refused to go out to sea.
Vessel "Rachel Cohen"
After several decades, the submarine shark (as the fishermen called it for its incredible size) made itself known again. In 1954, again off the coast of Australia, the ship Rachel Cohen stopped at the port for repairs and “general cleaning.” When the ship was cleared of numerous shells, seventeen huge teeth were discovered. Each tooth, according to eyewitnesses, was more than eight centimeters in size. Scientists have determined that they could not belong to anyone other than the megalodon shark. For reference: the length of a regular white shark's tooth is only three to five centimeters.
Nature has never created more terrible creatures
According to scientists, it is the most terrible, bloodthirsty and terrifying creation of Mother Nature. It is estimated that its length ranges from twenty to thirty-five meters, and its weight varies from fifty to one hundred tons. Sperm whales, considered one of the most large inhabitants depths of the sea, is just a light snack for the megalodon. It’s hard to even imagine the size of a submarine shark’s mouth when a ten-meter-long whale is easy everyday prey for dinner.
Scientists have been finding huge teeth all over the world for many decades. This is further evidence that the white submarine shark exists and has (had) an incredible territorial distribution size.
It’s even scary to imagine a monster of such enormous size, in comparison with which a person is just a small grain of sand. The submarine shark, a photo of which scientists have recreated thanks to findings and theories, is a terribly ugly creature. It has a broad-boned skeleton, massive jaws containing five rows of teeth and a blunt “snout.” They even joke that megalodon looks like a pig. You involuntarily begin to rejoice that these creatures are extinct.
Are they extinct?
Geologists recognize animals as extinct only when there is no “news” about them for 400 thousand years. However, stories from fishermen from an Australian port, teeth found on the Rachel Cohen ship - all this proves the fact that the submarine shark exists. The teeth were subjected to numerous studies, and the result was that they belonged to a megalodon.
Moreover, the discovered “teeth” of the terrible giant did not even have time to really petrify. They are at most ten to eleven thousand years old. Understand the difference: 400 thousand and 11 thousand years! It turns out that somewhere in the depths of the ocean, a white shark-submarine still exists and feels great. Evidence of the existence of which is discovered quite often. And this already says something.
By the way, for example, the goblin shark, which was considered extinct for many years, was discovered in 1897 in the World Ocean. And the existence of which was also not believed for a long time, was found in 1828. Perhaps there is a shark submarine somewhere waiting in the wings.
How were they not noticed?
It would seem like such huge size animals simply cannot go unnoticed for decades. Huge creatures would certainly be seen from the shore, in the shallows or from the stern of the ship. But if you think about it, the impressive dimensions of these giants simply do not allow them to swim close to the shore. It's too shallow for them here.
In addition, a submarine shark can easily exist in deep sea. For example, the largest animals - sperm whales - live quietly at a depth of three kilometers. A person cannot reach such a depth, even despite the development of modern ones. Such depths are simply not yet available to us. And if you compare the sizes of sperm whales and submarine sharks, the latter clearly win. Consequently, the depth of their immersion can be much greater than the “simple” three kilometers.