What is the Difference Between Megalodon and Great White Shark

The main difference between the megalodon and the great white shark is that a megalodon is an extinct group of mackerel sharks and is a close relative to the great white shark.

In brief, megalodon and great white shark are two types of shark species that belong to the Order Lamniformes. Although the two sharks are similar in several fundamental ways, they are also different from one another in size, speed, diet, and lifestyle. Besides, they both are large predators.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Megalodon
   • Facts, Features
2. What is Great White Shark
   • Facts, Features
3. Similarities Between Megalodon and Great White Shark
   • Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Megalodon and Great White Shark
   • Comparison with Key Differences

Key Terms

Great White Shark, Megalodon

Megalodon – Facts and Features 

Megalodon is an extinct species of mackerel shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago (Mya), from the Early Miocene to the Pliocene epochs. Also, it is considered to be the largest shark to have ever lived in the oceans and one of the largest fish ever recorded. Moreover, the scientific name of the megalodon is Carcharocles megolodon. Climate change, fluctuations in sea level, and glacial expansion are the reasons why this enormous shark went extinct.

Figure 1: Megalodon

Furthermore, the megalodon is the largest and most powerful predator ever lived. “Big Tooth” is the meaning of the term megalodon. In addition, megalodon is known as more closely resembling the stockier great white shark. The maximum length of the megalodon is up to 20 meters.

Great White Shark – Facts and Features

The great white shark is a species of large mackerel shark that can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans. Importantly, the great white sharks are the greatest predator in the Earth’s oceans. Carcharodon carcharias is the scientific name of the great white shark. However, the great white sharks are now endangered.

Figure 2: Great White Shark

Moreover, the IUCN lists them as “vulnerable” due to illegal human fishing and practices such as by-catch. Shark fin soup, a delicacy in some parts of the world is one of the prime reasons to catch great white sharks.

Similarities Between Megalodon and Great White Shark

• Megalodon and great white shark are two species of the order Lamniformes.
• Thus, both of them greatly resemble each other in appearance.
• Also, they are predators that occur on the top of food chains.

Difference Between Megalodon and Great White Shark

Definition

Megalodon refers to an extinct species of mackerel shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago (Mya), from the Early Miocene to the Pliocene epochs, while the great white shark refers to a species of large mackerel shark that can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans.

Exitance

Usually, megalodon is an extinct species while the great white shark is a vulnerable species.

Scientific Name

Megalodon is Carcharocles megolodon while the great white shark is Carcharodon carcharias.

Size

The megalodon is 21 meters long while the great white shark is 4 meters long.  

Weight

While Megalodon weighs 12.6 to 33.9 metric tons, the great white shark weighs 2.5 tons.

Mode of the Diet

Megalodon is a predator while the great white shark is an incredibly adept hunter.

Diet

Megalodon eats large fish, from whales to dolphins, while great white shark eats sea lions, fish, and sometimes smaller species of sharks.

Tooth

Moreover, megalodon tooth is 6 inches long while the great white shark tooth is 2.5 inches long.

Reasons for being Endangered

Climate change, fluctuations in sea level, and glacial expansion are the reasons behind the extinction of the megalodon while illegal human fishing and practices are the reasons behind great white sharks are facing the threat of extinction. 

Conclusion

In brief, the megalodon is the extinct species of mackerel shark while the great white shark is a vulnerable species of mackerel shark. The main difference between megalodon and great white shark is their size. Great white sharks are smaller than megalodon, but they are otherwise similar in appearance. 

References:

1. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Megalodon. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
2. Great White Sharks. Animals. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Megalodon NT ” By Nobu Tamura – Own Work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “White shark ” By Pterantula – Own Work (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia