2006-12-01 13:23:09 · 7 answers · asked by Billy S 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
While most mainstream experts contend that available evidence suggests that the megalodon is extinct, the idea of a relict population seems to have seized the public imagination, but evidence supporting such ideas is generally seen as both scanty and ambiguous.
Megalodon teeth have been discovered that some argue date as recently as 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. This claim is based on the discovery of two teeth by the HMS Challenger scientific expedition (these teeth were dated by estimating the amount of time it took for manganese to accumulate on them, although it is quite possible the teeth were fossilized before being encrusted).
2006-12-01 19:22:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been many sonar records of life forms that seem not to be whales but it doesn't mean that it is was a megalodon but simply a life form. The nominal size of a megalodon was about 50 feet but perhaps reaching even 70 feet and while sonar is accurate on hard-surfaced objects, there are problems in tracking say a group of oar fish or identifying them for what they are.The sounds are reflected in broken patterns. Another problem is that we don't know much about the megalodon's habits. Some sharks are deep water but others are comfortable near the surface, so if the megalodon was benthic, it would be difficult to locate them. Great White Sharks are close relatives and they prefer cooler waters, so megalodons may have lived nearer the polar regions where both seals and whales could have provided prey. Moreover, in the polar waters, few carcasses would wash ashore and be found by man. Is it really possible? Of course, but it is unlikely. Commercial trawlers prowl the waters for food fish with lines down into the abyss however in the depths there are still life forms unknown.
2006-12-01 22:06:52 · answer #2 · answered by Frank 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be a pretty hard animal to hide. It's very very unlikely. The only evidence we have of megalodons comes from their teeth (since that's the only thing that survived the ages.) Most of their bodies were cartilage so it was not preserved.
They are able to do pretty accurate dating by using the teeth though, and all the evidence from the teeth indicates megalodons are long gone. If there were still some swimming around you'd think we'd find teeth of ones that died within the last million years or so (and we don't ever find any.)
2006-12-01 21:39:21 · answer #3 · answered by Elvis W 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Considering how much of our planet is covered by water, there would be plenty of places for an animal of that size to hide.
Since it is warm blooded being related to great whites and makos it can move quicker and live in different temperatures.
Just because we haven't seen one doesn't mean they don't exist.
We are finding new and what we thought to be extinct species every day. How do we know?
I say, prove they don't exist and oh yeah,........be careful where you surf. You wouldn't want to become it's happy meal!
2006-12-01 22:09:42 · answer #4 · answered by wildmedicsue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way, the Megalodon was as big as a whale. That would be what it hunted then. With so little whales left, it wouldn't have enough prey left to eat. So they would starve. Plus,all sharks are slowing reproducing. Humans would definitly kill them so they wouldn't harm us first.
2006-12-01 21:36:54 · answer #5 · answered by penguo01 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps. Many species that peole thought were extinct, in fact were not
2006-12-01 21:26:21 · answer #6 · answered by jset1989 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nah, faster mammals would kill and eat it.
2006-12-01 21:30:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋