Megalodon’s Body Temperature Exceeded Surrounding Water by 7°C

New research suggests that the megalodon, an ancient shark, was able to maintain a body temperature approximately 7C higher than its surrounding water. This finding may help explain why the megalodon went extinct 3.6 million years ago. Experts state that the temperature difference observed in the megalodon is greater than that of other contemporary sharks, categorizing it as warm-blooded. It is believed that the energy spent on maintaining its elevated body temperature contributed to the shark’s extinction. Professor Robert Eagle, the lead researcher from UCLA, explains that studying the reasons behind the megalodon’s extinction can provide valuable insights into the vulnerability of large predators in modern oceans affected by climate change.

Megalodons, believed to have grown up to 50 feet in length, belonged to a group of sharks called mackerel sharks. Presently, this group includes the great white and thresher shark. Unlike most fish, which are cold-blooded, mackerel sharks are able to keep parts or the entire body warmer than the surrounding water. They store heat generated by their muscles, making them distinct from fully warm-blooded mammals. In mammals, the hypothalamus region of the brain regulates body temperature. In the study, scientists analyzed the teeth of the megalodon, as teeth contain a mineral called apatite that can provide insights into an animal’s habitat, diet, and body temperature. The warmer body temperature of the megalodon allowed it to swim faster, withstand colder waters, and expand its range across the globe. However, this characteristic may have contributed to the shark’s extinction, as maintaining the required energy level for the elevated body temperature would have necessitated an unsustainable voracious appetite. Randy Flores, a UCLA doctoral student and fellow of the Centre for Diverse Leadership in Science, emphasizes the importance of studying the megalodon’s extinction to gain a better understanding of the vulnerability of large marine predators in the face of climate change. The findings of this research were published in the Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences journal.