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Megalodons were massive, prehistoric sharks that roamed the world's oceans roughly 23 to 3.6 million years ago, during the Cenozoic Era. They are believed to have been one of the largest predators to have ever existed, with estimates suggesting they could grow up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length, although some researchers argue they might have been even larger. These enormous creatures had a robust, streamlined body and a jaw lined with rows of serrated teeth, some of which could reach up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) in length.
Megalodons were apex predators, likely feeding on a variety of marine animals, including whales, dolphins, seals, and other large fish. Their immense size and powerful bite would have made them formidable hunters capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves. Fossil evidence suggests that they had a widespread distribution, inhabiting oceans across the globe, from the tropics to cooler waters.
Despite their dominance in ancient seas, megalodons eventually became extinct around 3.6 million years ago, possibly due to changes in ocean temperature, competition with other predators, or shifts in the availability of their prey. The exact reasons for their extinction remain a subject of debate among scientists, but their disappearance marked the end of an era for these colossal marine predators.
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