A popular myth about megalodon has been debunked

The authors note that while megalodon had a thinner and more elongated body, the shark also had a longer digestive canal, which favoured better nutrient absorption. In turn, the increased ability to digest food allowed the shark to hunt less frequently, which kept the prey population stable. Thus, it is unlikely that megalodons became extinct due to food depletion. Instead, one of the key factors in the species’ extinction may have been the appearance of the great white shark and the subsequent competition for food.