Ancient Giant Shark Fossils Unveil Unexpected Feeding Habits

Newly discovered fossils from the Cretaceous period show that the giant Ptychodus sharks had a diet primarily consisting of hard-shelled prey, contrasting with modern sharks.

Fossils found in Mexico's Vallecillo Lagerstätte reveal detailed anatomy of Ptychodus, a giant shark from the Cretaceous period.
Ptychodus, reaching lengths up to 9.7 meters, had teeth adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey like ammonites and sea turtles.
These findings challenge previous notions of Ptychodus as mainly bottom-dwellers, indicating a fast-swimming, open-water lifestyle.
The exceptional preservation of these fossils provides new insights into the diversity and ecological roles of ancient sharks.
Research underscores the significant role of lamniform sharks in marine ecosystems during the Cretaceous.