Otodus: The Ancient Giant Shark That Preceded The Megalodon

Otodus Obliquus Artist Impression

Before the mighty Megalodon ruled the seas, there was Otodus obliquus, one of the earliest known giant sharks. This impressive predator lived during the Paleocene and Eocene epochs, roughly 60 to 45 million years ago. It thrived in warm, shallow oceans that stretched across what is now Morocco, Europe and parts of North America. Otodus obliquus swam in a world still recovering from the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, taking advantage of new prey like early whales and large bony fish. These sharks survived for about 15 million years, dominating ancient seas as apex predators long before Megalodon evolved.

Otodus Obliquus Shark Fossil Tooth

The most fascinating thing about Otodus obliquus is undoubtedly its teeth. Fossilized teeth from this species are commonly found in phosphate-rich deposits, often gleaming with a creamy tan or honey colour. They are huge, sometimes over 4 inches long! With smooth, triangular crowns and small side cusps at the base. Unlike the heavily serrated teeth of Megalodon or great whites, Otodus teeth had smooth edges, suggesting they were designed more for gripping and tearing rather than sawing through bone. These teeth were shed and replaced throughout the shark’s life, leaving behind countless fossils that now offer us a glimpse into this ancient predator’s power and feeding habits.

Megalodon, Mosasaur, Livyatan Whale, Otodus, Orca, Great White Shark, Human

While we only have fossilized teeth and a few vertebrae to go by, scientists estimate it could grow to around 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) in length. These estimates come from scaling studies that compare the size of Otodus teeth to those of modern sharks with known body proportions. To put into perspective, a Great White Shark grows to around 15-20 foot long, which is half the size of the huge Otodus!

Otodus Tooth vs Megalodon Tooth

When compared to Megalodon, Otodus obliquus stands as an evolutionary stepping stone. It’s widely believed that Megalodon evolved from the Otodus lineage, inheriting its massive size and tooth shape but developing serrations for more efficient hunting. In many ways, Otodus obliquus represents the beginning of the mega-shark era, a powerful, sleek hunter that set the evolutionary path for some of the ocean’s most iconic predators.