Scientists recently thought they saw a 50-foot long "megalodon" shark in the ocean. (Discovery Channel)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A recent discovery had some scientists stunned, as they detected what appeared to be a massive and prehistoric underwater creature that went extinct at least 3 million years ago.
Researchers studying sharks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean were shocked after they detected what appeared to be a massive 50-foot “megalodon” on sea scanners below their boat. An Instagram post by the Atlantic Shark Institute detailing the experience is currently making waves.
“On a recent shark research trip we were all amused to see this shape appear on our fish finder for several minutes. Based on the length of the image we estimated the ‘Meg’ to be about 50 feet long, weighing in at 40 tons!” the Atlantic Shark Institute wrote in the Instagram post.
But much to their disappointment, the shape began to transition into a large school of Atlantic mackerel that hung around their boat for about 15 minutes. So at least there’s no need to panic that this massive shark could be lurking in the ocean.
The institute explained that the megalodon disappeared millions of years ago and will likely stay that way -- but for a moment, the crew thought it had returned.
The screenshot of the fish finder posted on Instagram shows the outline of what could have been a megalodon.
Known as the most famous prehistoric shark, the megalodon ruled the seas from about 17 million years ago to almost 3 million years ago, according to National Geographic. The colossal predator reached lengths of up to 60 feet, stretching as long as a boxcar. It weighed as much as 30 large great white sharks.
The only marine animal ever to outweigh the megalodon is the blue whale, which weighs up to 200 tons, or just more than double the size of a megalodon.
National Geographic explained that paleontologists estimated the shark needed to devour 2,500 pounds of food a day.
The megalodon is an example of a shark that couldn’t adapt to its changing environment. The shark adapted to warmer waters and needed a ton of enormous mammals to feed on. Paleontologists said they believe that when climate changed millions of years ago and other large marine mammals moved into colder waters, the megalodons were left behind without enough food to survive, according to National Geographic.
Though some argue that the massive prehistoric sharks could still be swimming in unseen parts of the ocean.
“Although it’s true much of the ocean has yet to be explored, scientists note it’d be really difficult to miss a 50-foot-long, nearshore shark with a taste for whales. Sadly, the megalodon is long gone,” said National Geographic.
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