Parotodus benedini

Parotodus benedini, the false-toothed Mako Shark (extinct Thresher Shark), is an extinct genus of mackerel shark. This genus is known in the fossil records from the during the Eocene and Pleistocene Epochs (age range: from 53 to 1 million years ago).

The P. Benedini tooth is a very rare tooth praised by fossil hunters. The P. Benedini were believed to be pelagic sharks, meaning they mostly resided in open ocean only rarely coming into closer shores, which is believed to be the reason the teeth are so rare (hundreds of times more rare than megalodon teeth) and hold such a high value among fossil collectors and shark tooth enthusiasts.

Physical Characteristics

Parotodus benedini was a large shark, measuring up to 25 feet in length. It was characterized by its long, pointed snout and its large, triangular teeth, which were up to 3 inches in length. The teeth of Parotodus benedini have a claw like look, and they were adapted for feeding on large, bony fish and marine mammals. The shark's jaws were also powerful, allowing it to exert a tremendous amount of force when biting its prey.

Behavior and Habitat

Parotodus benedini is believed to have lived in coastal waters and pelagic habitats. Fossil evidence suggests that it was a solitary hunter, feeding on large, bony fish and marine mammals such as seals and whales. Like other sharks, Parotodus benedini had to constantly swim in order to breathe. This meant that it was an active swimmer, capable of swimming long distances in search of prey.

Extinction

Parotodus benedini, like many other species of shark, went extinct during the Pliocene epoch, approximately 2-5 million years ago. The exact cause of its extinction is not known, but it is believed to be related to changes in ocean temperature and sea level, as well as competition from other predators.

Importance

Parotodus benedini is an important species for scientists to study because it provides insights into the evolution and biology of prehistoric sharks. It is also useful for understanding the ecology of the Miocene epoch and the role that large predators like Parotodus benedini played in their ecosystem.

In conclusion, Parotodus benedini was a large, predatory shark that lived during the Miocene epoch. It was characterized by its long, pointed snout and its large, serrated teeth, which were adapted for feeding on large, bony fish and marine mammals. Although it went extinct millions of years ago, it remains an important species for scientists to study and understand the ecology of prehistoric sharks.

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