'Eerie Evidence: Mom and Son Discover 60-foot Prehistoric Megalodon Shark'

A mom and son discover a tooth from a 60-foot megalodon shark while beachcombing on Cape Lookout in North Carolina.

A mother and her son recently made an incredible discovery during a beachcombing adventure on Cape Lookout in North Carolina. They stumbled upon a tooth from a megalodon shark, a massive creature that lived millions of years ago. The tooth, which was found on July 23, is a remarkable artifact from a time long past.

Cape Lookout National Seashore expressed their excitement about the find, stating that while shark teeth are not commonly found on their beach, they occasionally appear to the delight of those who discover them. The park shared a photo on social media, showing a park ranger proudly displaying the tooth with a smile.

Megalodons, which existed approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago, were enormous sharks that could grow up to 60 feet in length. This is three times the size of the largest white shark known today. The Smithsonian Institution explains that these ancient predators were capable of tearing chunks of flesh from even the largest whales that lived during their time. They were the dominant predators of their era and were known to inhabit various regions of the ocean, particularly coastal areas.

Fossils of megalodons have been discovered in different parts of the world. The northernmost findings were off the coast of Denmark, while the southernmost fossils were found in New Zealand. The scientific name of the megalodon, Carcharocles megalodon, translates to "big-toothed glorious shark," emphasizing the incredible size and power of these creatures.

This recent discovery is not the only one of its kind. In early June, a diver in Florida found another megalodon tooth off the coast of Venice. Michael Nastasio, who has been searching for megalodon teeth since 2011, was thrilled to come across a six-inch-long tooth during one of his dives. He described the moment as mind-blowing and runs a scuba tour company, Black Gold Fossil Charter, which helps divers find similar artifacts.

These discoveries remind us of the fascinating creatures that once roamed the oceans millions of years ago. The megalodon shark, with its massive size and impressive hunting abilities, continues to captivate our imagination and provide valuable insights into the ancient world.