Megalodon, an extinct mega-sized shark species that roamed the world’s oceans between 23 million and 3.6 million years ago, was warm-blooded and had a significantly higher body temperature than modern sharks, according to new research.

An international team of scientists made this discovery while examining the fossilized teeth of the megalodon (Otodus megalodon), whose species name means “big tooth.” According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesThese gigantic carnivores often reached the length of tractor trailers that were about 50 feet (15 meters).

Like many shark species, including the great white (Carcharodon carcharias), megalodon was classified as “regional endothermic” in the new study, meaning it can maintain body temperature even when its external environment is much colder.

For the study, the scientists used a combination of geothermal techniques to estimate the giant shark’s body temperature based on the composition of different isotopes or versions of the elements in the megalodon’s fossilized teeth.

“The temperature at which a mineral forms, including biologically mineralized hard tissues such as teeth, can be predicted from the degree to which these isotopes coalesce or ‘stick’ together,” said study co-author Kenshu Shimada, a professor of paleobiology at the College. Science and Health at De Paul University in Chicago. “The geochemical method used was previously used to study the warm-bloodedness of dinosaurs. The new study shows that the method could also be applied to marine vertebrates such as sharks, using hard, well-mineralized anatomical components such as teeth.”

The study found that Megalodon’s average body temperature is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), according to the study, while the average body temperature of modern territorial endothermic sharks is 72 F to 80 F (22 C to 26.6 C).

The increased body temperature of a megalodon will have many benefits.

“Friendliness is an advantage because it allows the animal to lead a more active lifestyle, such as being able to swim long distances or swim fast,” said Shimada. “Today’s warm-blooded sharks like the mako and great white not only swim faster than their cold-blooded counterparts, but their warm-blooded metabolic heat also helps them digest food.”

But being warm-blooded had its downsides, and it may even have led to the extinction of the megalodon.

“The timing of Megalodon’s disappearance from the fossil record is consistent with Earth’s climatic cooling,” Shimada said. Said. “The fact that it was warm-blooded actually must have provided an ‘extra advantage’ for Megalodon to survive in cold waters.” emphasizing it.”

“There may have been changes in the ecological landscape due to the cooling climate, which has led to a reduction in the number of seals and other marine animals the megalodon feeds on.”