The strongest separator is the cutting edge. Confirm it against the root and jaw-position notes before naming an isolated tooth.
Massive triangular crown, regular serrations, thick root and often a visible bourlette between crown and root.
Large smooth triangular main crown with a prominent cusplet on each side and a heavy root.
Broad triangle
Broad triangle
Fine serrations / Coarse serrations
Smooth edge
No side cusplets
One on each side
Deep V-shaped root / Wide / nearly flat root
Deep V-shaped root / Wide / nearly flat root
45–180 mm reference range
25–100 mm reference range
Anterior teeth are tall and symmetrical; laterals broaden and become oblique.
Anterior teeth are tall and symmetrical; lateral teeth broaden and lean.
Warm temperate to tropical coastal and offshore seas worldwide.
Paleocene–Eocene warm marine shelves and open seas.
Large marine mammals, fishes and other sharks.
Large fishes and marine vertebrates inferred.
Most evidence-based reconstructions cluster around 15–18 m (49–59 ft), with larger claims more uncertain.
Often estimated at roughly 8–10 m (26–33 ft), but complete bodies are unknown.
About 108,000–182,000 N in one scaled biomechanical model—not a direct measurement.
Not directly measurable and not safely inferred from tooth size alone.
Miocene–Pliocene teeth are widespread in marine deposits on several continents.
Widespread Paleocene–Eocene teeth, commonly with paired cusplets.
Large size alone is not enough. Broken roots, juvenile teeth and worn serrations can make megalodon overlap with other otodontids.
Later transitional otodontids may develop serrations or reduce cusplets, making lineage-level ID safer.
Illustrations are original TuffShark diagrams, not photographs taken from either reference.
KEEP COMPARING