The Secrets of Nature & Science

Giant Ancient Shark Discovered in Australia Stuns Scientists


Listen Later

The episode documents the remarkable discovery of Australopatagonicus titanomachus, a gigantic Early Cretaceous apex shark unearthed in the Toolebuc Formation of outback Queensland. This fossil is extraordinarily significant because the nearly complete cartilaginous skeleton—a rarity in shark preservation—revealed a creature estimated to be over eight meters long. As the largest predatory shark of the entire Mesozoic Era, this species dominated the ancient Eromanga Sea, utilizing serrated, palm-sized teeth and defensive dermal denticles to hunt giant marine reptiles like plesiosaurs. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the fossil record, proving that sharks attained hyper-carnivorous giant status far earlier than scientists had believed. Finally, researchers suggest the shark’s existence in a warm greenhouse world holds potential relevance for future shark evolution if global ocean temperatures continue to rise.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Secrets of Nature & ScienceBy Adidas Wilson