Megalodon and its Contemporaneous Rivals [I wrote this article!][Writer]
The big star of shark movies, the "Megalodon." It is an ancient shark that lived on Earth until about 3.6 million years ago. Its total length is estimated to be at least 10 meters or more. It is a terrifying giant monster, with some theories suggesting it reached 24 meters, the size of a large whale.
In fact, such a Megalodon was not an invincible absolute king. The seas of that era were teeming with monsters that even threatened the Megalodon. Roughly speaking...
Rival No. 1: Ancient Sperm Whales
The relatives of the sperm whale at that time were ferocious sea hunters. The largest species, Livyatan, was a giant beast on par with the Megalodon. There were also several other carnivorous whales of the same size as the current ocean ruler, the orca.
(Top left) Livyatan
(Top right) Skull of Livyatan. Unlike modern sperm whales, it also has teeth in its upper jaw
(Bottom left) Albicetus
(Bottom right) Acrophyseter
By Jaaproosart, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144372272
By Ghedoghedo, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63202970
By Jfstudiospaleoart, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=172153303
By Jfstudiospaleoart, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=172102030
Rival No. 2: Ancestors of the Orca
Orca relatives began to flourish as if replacing the Megalodon from the era when it began to decline. Shortly before that, in the same period and region as the Megalodon, a carnivorous whale that might have been a transitional species from dolphin to orca lived.
Rival No. 3: Other Ancient Sharks
The Megalodon is a shark from a lineage that is now extinct. However, there were multiple species of sharks from the same lineage at the same time. And besides the Megalodon, other monster sharks over 10 meters long were rampant.
Rival No. 4: Ancestors of Modern Sharks
Among the relatives of modern sharks, there were giant carnivorous sharks comparable to the current great white shark, and it is believed that they preyed on the Megalodon under certain circumstances. And the great white shark, which would eventually take the throne of the shark world from the Megalodon, was also beginning to rise.
Rival No. 5: ????
Recent research has revealed the ecology of the Megalodon one after another. In fact, the Megalodon was made prey by an unexpected creature.
...A terrifying sea that makes you want to sympathize with the Megalodon.
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