Living Megalodon Shark Caught on Tape by Fishermen: Fact Check

Story:

Megalodon Shark Caught on Tape – Real Monster Sized Shark Caught by Fishermen

Other Versions

1. Fishermen Catch Living Megalodon Baby.

2. Megalodon Shark Caught by Japanese Fisherman.

3. 15-Ton Prehistoric Shark Captured Off Coast of Pakistan

Fact Check:

Various stories carrying pictures and videos purport to show a Living Megalodon Shark Caught on Tape by Fishermen. The stories about the extinct species Megalodon are in circulation online since long time. So, let us examine if any of them is true or not.

No Megalodon Shark Caught on Tape

The video above is shared on social media suggesting to show a Megalodon Shark caught by fishermen. As a matter of fact, Megalodon (meaning “big tooth”) is an extinct species of shark that lived millions of years ago. With fossil remains suggesting the giant shark reaching a length of 18 meters (59 ft), Megalodon is regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators ever lived. However, the huge shark you see in the video is not Megalodon, but a Basking Shark. For instance, in a report on CNN Edition, you can see a similar basking shark caught off Australian coast in 2015.

Picture of Basking Shark — Basking Shark

World News Daily Report

Various other pictures and stories about capture of a Megalodon Shark originate from an article on World News Daily Report website worldnewsdailyreport.com. The report suggests the 15-ton giant prehistoric shark, previously thought to be extinct, was captured by local fishermen off the coast of Pakistan. The story does indeed carry a picture of a giant, terrifying shark and a picture of giant tooth of the alleged sea monster. Despite the claims, World News Daily Report website happens to be a satirical publication that mostly publishes fake news.

The featured image in the article is actually a great white shark caught in shark nets in Mossel Bay (South Africa) back in August 2009. In fact, the adolescent (not yet fully grown) monster measured 4.3m and weighed around 700kg. The other picture, however, does show a fossilized Megalodon Tooth found in the Atacama Desert, Chile.

Picture of Megalodon Tooth Fossil — Megalodon Tooth Fossil

So, the picture stories and videos purporting to show a Living Megalodon Shark Caught on Tape by Fishermen are hoaxes. As per available science, the Megalodon sharks are extinct marine species that lived millions of years ago.