What is the difference between the megalodon and the great white shark?

Answer 1

Great White Sharks are considered, by many ichthyiologists and paleontologist alike, to be more closely related to the mako shark than to the megalodon, as megalodon is often considered to be of the genus carcharocles as opposed to carcharodon, the genus of both the mako and the great white. They were originally considered to be members of the same genus secondary to similarities in their teeth, and both were thought to share a common ancestor, genus palaeocarcharodon. Many scientists now believe that the evolutionary paths of the two species were in fact divergent, the megalodon evolving from the Otodus obliquus, and the great white from the Isurus hastalis, or broad tooth mako.

In addition, megalodon was thought to grow anywhere from 43 ft. to 75 ft. long, and weigh approximately 47 metric tons to 70 metric tons. Comparatively, the typical great white shark is approximately 13-20 ft long with a weight range, note the use of kg as opposed to tons here, of 680-1900 kg. There have been reports of individual sharks, mainly unconfirmed, being up to 37 ft long. Most of these seem to have been reported earlier in the 20th century, and in some cases, estimates done from measurements based upon surviving photographs of these leviathans have shown that they were often much smaller than reported.

The most notable difference between the two species is, of course, the fact that the Great White has survived, and megalodon lost it's battle against extinction 1.5 million years ago during the pleistocene epoch. There are some notable differences in dentition and physiology as well, and wikipedia has articles on both species with a great attached bibliography for more information.

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Answer 2

The most important difference of C. Megalodon from other sharks (extinct sharks included) was its monstrous size.

Very little is known for sure about the Meg. As a basis for a deep understanding of C. Megalodon we have little more besides teeth (tens of thousands), a partially preserved vertebral column found in Belgium and a few isolated (and some incredible large) centra vertebra fossils.

Marine paleontologists are still debating if the Megalodon belong to the genus carcharodon (and in this case the Meg would be an oversized Great White), or if this beast belong to the genus carcharocles(and, in this case the body shape and structure of the Meg could be significantly different from a Great White).

(Personally, I am more inclined for the carcharocleslineage, with the Carcharoclesauriculatus, the Carcharoclesangustidens, and finally the Carcharocleschubutensisas the chronological ancesters of C. Megalodon. The present tendency of marine paleontologists goes to the carcharodon genus.)

The size of Megalodon, I mentioned in my first paragraph. Yes, its enormous size, its most dramatic characteristic.

There are no consensus about the maximum size a C. Megalodon could reach. From more of 30 meters to 12 meters, pick up your guess.

Today, most marine paleontologists are inclined to an average lenght of 18 meters, with larger individuals (females) up to 20,6 meters.

But nobody really knows.

The size of marine animals is a very difficult matter to discuss. In an liquid environement, the gravity force have different effect in the growth of animals, unlike in dry land.

We were once used to think a tiger shark could only grow up to 4.5 meters, and one day a 7.5 meter specimen is fished in Australia...

This has happened many times before, in marine Biology.

I could go on for hours, writing about the Megalodon. I feel it's fascinating, to discuss about what could well be tthe most fearsome apex predator of all times, in land or sea.

But let's read more from other people that knows a lot more of shanks than I do.

Cheers!