What is the difference between megalodon and great white shark?

Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) and the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) are both large predatory sharks that have lived in the Earth's oceans. However, there are significant differences between these two species.

Size: Megalodon was one of the largest sharks that ever existed, reaching an estimated maximum length of around 18 metres. Great white sharks are also large, with an average length of around 4.6 metres, although some individuals can reach lengths of over 6 metres.

Teeth: Megalodon had very large teeth, with a maximum tooth length of around 18 centimetres. These teeth were triangular in shape and had serrated edges. Great white sharks also have large teeth, but their teeth are smaller than those of megalodon, with a maximum tooth length of around 5.1 centimetres. The teeth of great white sharks are also more triangular and have smooth edges.

Diet: Megalodon is believed to have been an apex predator, preying on a variety of marine mammals, fish, and other sharks. Great white sharks are also apex predators, but their diet is more varied, and they prey on a wider range of animals, including fish, sea lions, seals, and even other great white sharks.

Habitat: Megalodon is believed to have lived in warm tropical and subtropical oceans. Great white sharks are found in a wider range of habitats, including coastal and offshore waters in both temperate and tropical oceans.

Extinction: Megalodon became extinct around 2.6 million years ago, during the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary. The exact cause of its extinction is unknown, but it may be due to a combination of factors, such as climate change, competition with other predators, and changes in its prey base. Great white sharks are still alive today, and are considered to be a threatened species, due to overfishing and other human activities.