© Elly Enn/Unsplash
On one side, the king of the dinosaurs (Tyrannosaurus rex), on the other, the Megalodon, (Otodus megalodon) a gigantic shark, lord of the primitive oceans. These two giants, separated by millions of years and radically different environments, dominated their worlds as apex predators. T. rex ruled the lands in the Cretaceous Period (145 million years to 66 million years BCE), while Megalodon terrorized aquatic environments much later, in the early Miocene Period (23 million years to 5.3 million years BCE).
If we were to have fun pitting them against each other, how do we compare them in terms of size, power, and hunting abilities ?
Des distinct worlds and eras
The Tyrannosaurus rexroamed what is now the western United States about 68 to 66 million years ago. In contrast to the current aridity of these regions, its habitat was then subtropical, reminiscent of the Louisiana bayous (freshwater channels that meander through the marshes of the southern United States). This voracious carnivore fed on a wide variety of prey, from small dinosaurs to crocodiles, not to mention a few primitive mammals.
The Megalodon, meanwhile, reigned much later, from 23 to 3.6 million years before the appearance of the human species. This colossal shark, the largest fish that ever existed, roamed almost all of the world's oceans, with the exception of polar waters. Its diet included large marine mammals and various species of fish. Few preys escaped him.
An artistic representation of the two giants, the size scale is not exact. © Image generated by AI DALL-E for Presse-Citron
Clash of the Titans: A Question of Size and Strength
The size difference between these two predators is striking. According to estimates based on its fossilized teeth, the Megalodon could reach a length of about 20 meters, or the size of a semi-trailer. The T. rex, while imposing, was “only” 40 feet long. However, as Scott Persons, assistant professor of paleontology at the College of Charleston, points out, the Megalodon's larger size is partly due to the buoyancy of water, which relieves the constraints of gravity.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000In terms of biting power, hold on tight. The Megalodon wins hands down with an estimated force of 133,500 newtons, compared to 53,000 to 35,500 newtons for the T. rex. A Megalodon's bite is therefore equivalent to the weight of two large adult elephants and is more than seven times more powerful than that of a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Compared to that of a Man, his power is multiplied by a factor of between 190 and 267. On a concrete scale, it is as if about 200 humans were biting simultaneously with all their strength concentrated in the same place!
Speed and agility: the terrestrial advantage
The speed of these predators is a subject of heated debate among paleontologists. The Megalodon, handicapped by the resistance of the water, would probably have reached a maximum speed of approximately 18 km/h. The T. rex, although its ability to run is controversial, could have, according to some experts such as Persons, reached top speeds of around 40 km/h.
This difference in speed is explained by their respective environments: the aquatic environment of the Megalodon offered more resistance, while the T. rex evolved on dry land, potentially allowing it to move faster despite its bipedalism and its imposing mass.
Each of these prehistoric titans was perfectly adapted to its environment, dominating the food chain of its time. The smaller but probably more agile T. rex had a formidable bite force, although less than that of the Megalodon. The latter, a true colossus of the seas, compensated for its relative slowness with an unequalled jaw power. The comparison is therefore difficult: a Megalodon in the savannah would have no chance against a T-rex, just as a T-rex would quickly be overtaken by a Megalodon in the open sea.
In any case, let us consider ourselves lucky not to have set foot on the ground or swum in the open sea with them. T. rex was a victim of the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event, caused by an asteroid, while Megalodon probably succumbed to competition from other marine predators. Nature is well made.
- Megalodon is much larger, reaching 20 meters, compared to 12 meters for T. rex.
- Megalodon wins with a bite of 133,500 newtons, while T. rex's bite is 35,500 to 53,000 newtons.
- T. rex was faster and more agile on land, with an estimated speed of 40 km/h, while Megalodon was limited by water resistance, reaching 18 km/h.
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