A new study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters has challenged the long-held notion that megalodon, the massive prehistoric shark, primarily fed on large marine mammals such as whales. Researchers found that megalodon’s diet was more diverse and flexible than previously thought, with some species sharing its top spot as opportunistic supercarnivores.
The study used zinc isotopes to reconstruct the marine food web 20 million years ago, when megalodon roamed the oceans. The analysis revealed a complex web of predator-prey relationships, where megalodon’s diet overlapped with that of other sharks, including its close relative Otodus chubutensis and the lesser-known Araloselachus cuspidatus.
The findings suggest that megalodon was not a solitary giant but rather a member of a group of large, opportunistic predators. This challenges the long-held assumption that megalodon was the apex predator in its ecosystem.
According to paleobiologist Kenshu Shimada, one of the coauthors of the study, “the rise of the great white shark may have been a factor in megalodon’s extinction.” The new research strengthens this hypothesis by demonstrating the diet overlap between megalodon and great white sharks.
The study also highlights the importance of considering multiple sources of evidence when reconstructing ancient ecosystems. As Alberto Collareta, a researcher at Italy’s University of Pisa, noted, “our understanding of the Meg is essentially limited to its ubiquitous teeth, a few vertebrae, and a handful of scales.” Further research, including the discovery of complete skeletons, is needed to shed more light on this fascinating creature.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/27/science/megalodon-diet-prey-fossil-teeth