A megalodon femaleThe shark species, which became extinct about 2 million years ago, was found by a 9-year-old girl off the coast of Calvert in the northeastern region of the United States. The discovery of the paleontological treasure took place on December 25, when Molly Sampson went in search of fossils with her father and sister.

The 5-inch find was later taken to the Calvert Maritime Museum in Maryland. There, experts confirmed that the tooth did indeed belong to him. The largest shark swimming in the world’s oceansand guessed that the sample in question must have been the size of a bus.

Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) dominated the seas between the Early Miocene and Pliocene (22 million years ago). The gigantic shark species with huge teeth can reach a length of up to 20 meters. Their extinction probably occurred with the emergence of smaller species, especially great white sharks.

Fossils are rarely found preserved because animals often have cartilaginous skeletons that do not remain intact over time. Therefore, what is known about fast predators is a reconstruction from their teeth, which can be found in coastal areas all over the planet, as it is more difficult.

The extinct shark’s fossilized tooth was found in good condition and is one of the largest teeth ever discovered (source: Alicia Sampson)

The beach at Calvert Cliffs State Park, located in the Chesapeake Bay, is one of the top places to find such records. This is because the cliffs that dominate the landscape are made up of layers of sediment from the seafloor that covered the area in the past. As the slopes are eroded by the waves, new fragments emerge, making it possible to find a kind of fossil that had been trapped in the soil until then.

Aiming to become a paleontologist when she grows up, Molly’s tooth discovered on Christmas morning is the largest ever found by a young treasure hunter who has been searching for fossils for several years and has already collected more than 100,000,000 fossils. 400 teeth from sharks off the coast of Maryland. According to the girl’s family, the discovery can inspire other children to take an interest in nature.

Source: Tec Mundo

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I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.

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