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Is a Megalodon Still Alive?

Did they find a Megalodon in the Mariana trench?

By Duncan GakuyaPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
Megalodon

So here's the response to your burning inquiry. Did they genuinely discover a megalodon in the Mariana trench? Accounts of megalodon sightings can be discovered on numerous different websites. Science informs us that megalodon sharks are extinct but could they still be alive in the deepest parts of the ocean. Humans are captivated by sharks. The larger the shark is, the stronger the attraction we feel to learn more about them. Given that megalodon was an enormous shark with noticeable feeding habits, we speculated that if it were still roaming the oceans it would probably have been spotted by someone by now but perhaps not if it lived in the deepest place on earth, the Mariana trench. Let's examine if the allegations we've been hearing could be accurate.

There are many doubters out there who question the existence of megalodon but we do know that the megalodon shark roamed the seas as early as 23 million years ago and we have their fossils to verify their presence. When people first discovered the megalodon's teeth they thought they were stones that had arrived on earth from the moon but later on, naturalists attributed the fossilized teeth to sharks and then to megalodon. Megalodon was the largest shark to terrorize the ocean and it is believed to have become extinct 2.6 million years ago. The name megalodon means large tooth. Most of the recovered megalodon fossil teeth have measured four to five inches but there are a few massive teeth that exceed seven inches. Were you aware that a megalodon's bite was stronger than that of a tyrannosaurus rex? Computer simulations estimate megalodon's bite at 24 to 40 000 pounds of force. With those statistics, we would like to think that megalodon could survive anything but why do we think that megalodon could still be alive? Has this kind of situation occurred in the past? The answer is yes. The colossal squid appeared to be a mythical creature or believed to be extinct. Scientists eventually discovered its existence from the carcasses that washed ashore and the marks they had left on whales. The world finally caught a glimpse of the colossal squid in 2006 when Japanese researchers filmed one measuring 59 feet and weighing nearly a ton. The colossal squid is the largest invertebrate on earth. So if the colossal squid managed to evade human sight for hundreds of years, who's to say that megalodon couldn't be out there as well.

There are two significant factors to consider when determining if a megalodon shark could still exist. First, let's examine the magnitude of a megalodon. Do you recall when we mentioned that a megalodon's bite was more powerful than that of a t-rex? We typically perceive the tyrannosaurus rex as a colossal creature, but if you were to place a t-rex next to a megalodon, it would provide some insight into the immense size of the megalodon. Megalodons could reach lengths of up to 60 feet, which is three times the size of a t-rex. So, if these two were to engage in a battle in the water, we can confidently predict who would emerge victorious. However, if the fight were to take place on dry land, my money would be on the t-rex. Now, let's embark on a journey eastward, all the way to the Mariana islands. If we continue further into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, we will come across the Mariana Trench, which is not only the deepest part of the ocean but also the deepest point on the entire planet. The Mariana Trench plunges to a depth of nearly seven miles and spans over fifteen hundred miles in length, with a width of forty-three miles. To put this depth into perspective, even if we were to place Mount Everest into the Mariana Trench, its peak would still protrude above the water's surface. In terms of length, a distance of 1500 miles is equivalent to the span between Florida and Massachusetts. It is also the distance between Madrid and Spain, as well as Copenhagen and Denmark. Considering the vast dimensions of the Mariana Trench, do you believe it is possible for megalodons to inhabit this area unbeknownst to humans? We certainly believe it is a plausible scenario now.

There are additional factors to consider as well. Let's examine the circumstances of life in the Mariana Trench. Can life even survive there? We are aware that the Mariana Trench is a location in perpetual darkness with a pressure of up to eight tons per square inch. There are openings on the ocean floor that release hydrogen sulfide and other minerals at a temperature of 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The deepest section of the Mariana Trench is known as Challenger Deep. According to a report from National Geographic, only three individuals have descended into Challenger Deep. The initial two individuals to reach Challenger Deep observed a fish and demonstrated that fish could exist in the deepest parts of the ocean. Now we are aware that the Mariana Trench houses thousands of species of invertebrates and fish. Peculiar transparent creatures known as holothorians, new types of jellyfish, ethereal white octopuses, and numerous others, some of which have remarkably long lifespans. Could megalodon survive in those conditions? If a megalodon shark were living down there, it might not resemble our typical perception of them. To thrive in the Mariana Trench, megalodon would have had to adapt to the living conditions and evolve. It would also need to change its diet from whales, dolphins, sea lions, and sea cows to whatever organisms inhabit the Mariana Trench and hope that it could locate and consume its usual 2,500 pounds of food per day. If megalodon were to evolve in the Mariana Trench, it is conceivable to envision it as an enormous bioluminescent shark capable of living for hundreds of years and subsisting on transparent organisms, but this is purely conjecture.

In 1995, filmmaker James Cameron conducted twelve manned submersible dives to the wreckage of Titanic to gather specimens and record footage for his blockbuster film. Well-versed in underwater expeditions, in 2012 he became one of merely three individuals to reach the Challenger Deep in the Mariana trench. As per the United Nations, the current global population stands at 7.6 billion people, with only three having successfully reached the deepest point on earth. The truth is, due to the limited amount of research, we cannot ascertain what lies in the abyss of the Mariana trench. Perhaps we can inquire with James Cameron and his team if they happened to observe the movement of a megalodon tail during their descent. While there may be ongoing reports of megalodons in the Mariana trench, it is not advisable to venture there to verify the authenticity of these claims. The Mariana trench is now a protected area under U.S jurisdiction, and research inquiries must be directed to the U.S Fish and Wildlife service and the federated states of Micronesia. Nevertheless, regardless of whether the reports of megalodons residing in the Mariana trench are factual or not, there are numerous individuals who would prefer to believe in their existence. So, do you believe that megalodons could still survive? If they had adapted to life in the Mariana trench, how do you envision their current appearance? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section. If you find this article intriguing, please consider showing your support by liking or even tipping. Your support is greatly appreciated as a writer!

NatureScience

About the Creator

Duncan Gakuya

Inventive articles that stimulate you intellectually and satisfy the readers' yearning for understanding in various subjects.

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