by Sebastian Clarke

The Megalodon Shark; A species known as an ancient primeval shark, the greatest apex predator roaming the warm waters of Earth last identified nearly 2 million years ago when they dropped off the face of the planet, may no longer be considered extinct.

On Wednesday, February 20th, Henry Davis, Marine Biologist and Shark researcher provided some insight on the issue, “After an extensive field investigation and years of research I can officially confirm the presence of the Megalodon Shark species within the Ocean.” Over the past few years Davis along with his team of experienced, credible researchers and scientists have been investigating the epidemic of a suspicious increase of whale deaths in warm areas close to the equator during their annual migratory route in late autumn for mating and breeding purposes. “We were receiving bizarre reports, one after the other of whales of all diversity and species just dropping like flies” Davis stated.

Another Source, Ronald Griffin, a professor with a Phd in shark biology and history at the University of Maryland who studies extinct sharks and the habits and distribution of whales, worked alongside Davis after attending and meeting one another at The United Nations Ocean Conference and found that they shared common interests and goals.

Late last January of 2018 Griffin stated “Megalodon sharks were known for their cosmopolitan distribution, they were found everywhere, more likely in warmer waters than cold. Fossils have been found in different locations spread across the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, and as of recent, no Megalodon Shark species fossils have been found to suggest their recent active movement.”

Although the reasoning behind the sharks mistaken extinction is unknown, many believed their disappearance was because of the oceanic cooling associated with the onset of the ice ages which may have contributed to their decline. Arguably, these sharks had the capacity to endure such low temperatures due to mesothermy, the physiological capability of large sharks to conserve metabolic heat by maintaining a higher body temperature than the surrounding water. However, the recent increase in whale deaths including the baleen whale, a species of Rorquals what is known to be the Megalodons preferred food source, may be what proves that they are still lurking the waters.

Due to the known fact derived from various excavations that revealed Megalodon teeth lying close to the remains of whales and the food habits of the shark species, researchers followed the whales into lower latitudes during their autumn migratory period and divers discovered something that changed history as we know it. During the search, found in the waters of Hawaii, a recently fossilized shark tooth, too large to be great white however not the extreme size of what has been found on the Megalodon. Also, recent whale fossils have been found with deep gashes which heavily compare to prehistoric fossils of Megalodons prey leading to the assumption that the Megalodon shark was never extinct.

“This discovery is more than what we could have imagined, it proves that although the Megalodon species has evolved, it’s species is still alive and thriving. There is more to come than just this recent discovery. Hopefully soon we can uncover a sighting.” Davis stated alongside Griffin during an interview on their recent findings.