The Prehistoric Sharks We’d Want to See in a Jaws/Jurassic Park Mashup

This summer, we’re honoring some of Earth’s most triumphant creatures by celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” and the revival of dinosaurs in “Jurassic World Rebirth”. Although non-avian dinosaurs are extinct, sharks continue to thrive. They’ve been around far longer than trees (which emerged approximately 400 million years ago), older even than Saturn’s rings (400 million years old), and have survived longer than dinosaurs (240 million years). Any authentic prehistoric park would undoubtedly include an aquatic section showcasing strange sharks.

Today’s sharks are the product of 450 million years of evolution, transforming them into some of the world’s most formidable predators. Despite their presence in our oceans for centuries, their lives remain largely a mystery. Compared to what we know about modern sharks, our understanding of prehistoric sharks is minimal. Over the past half billion years, sharks have created an extensive fossil record showcasing biological advancements and experimentation. However, this record primarily consists of fossilized teeth and jaws, offering only a glimpse into their evolutionary history.

For More on Sharks

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As a shark enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the awe-inspiring creatures that once ruled our oceans, like the legendary Megalodon. Although it’s commonly known as the most famous extinct shark, what’s often overlooked is its relatively recent appearance, approximately 23 million years ago, and disappearance around 2.6 million years ago.

If given a chance to curate an exhibit at Jurassic World, Megalodon would undoubtedly be the star attraction. However, it wouldn’t be the only one gracing our aquarium with its ancient presence. Here are some other extinct sharks that would leave visitors spellbound, just as they did millions of years ago.

Extinct sharks that would look great in a Jaws or Jurassic World movie

Cladoselache, the first shark

During the Devonian period approximately 380 million years ago, a type of animal emerged that are now recognized as the first true sharks – Cladoselache. Although these early sharks shared some characteristics with armored fishes, they had not yet developed many features we associate with modern sharks such as replaceable teeth or a full-body covering of scales. Instead, their scales were limited to areas around the mouth, eyes, and the edges of their fins.

As a fervent admirer of marine life, let me share an intriguing tidbit about Cladoselache – a fascinating creature that inhabited what is now North America’s waters. Unlike many of its shark contemporaries, the remains of these animals have been exceptionally well-preserved, with some specimens even retaining their original organs. However, what makes this species particularly peculiar is that it appears to have lacked claspers – the paired reproductive organs used by modern male sharks.

Xenacanthus, the eel shark

As a captivated admirer of prehistoric marine life, I’d like to share some fascinating facts about the Xenacanthus. This ancient freshwater shark measured approximately 3-5 feet in length and had an intriguing diet consisting primarily of crustaceans and small fish. This remarkable creature roamed our planet for a staggering period spanning from the end of the Devonian era to the end of the Triassic, roughly 200 million years ago.

What sets Xenacanthus apart is its unique feature – a long, venomous spine projecting not just from its head but also running along its back. This spine served as both a defense mechanism and a means to immobilize prey. A truly incredible creature that once thrived in our planet’s ancient waters.

Instead of the usual, short, triangular dorsal fin found on sharks, Xenacanthus boasted a long dorsal fin that stretched along its body, blending with the anal fin. This made them resemble eels more than contemporary sharks, hence their common name “eel sharks.” Notably, their spine was composed of bone rather than cartilage, and their vertebrae bore annual growth rings. By examining these rings, paleontologists can calculate a creature’s age at the time it perished.

Occasionally, Dimetrodon, a creature often mistaken for a dinosaur though it’s more akin to contemporary mammals such as ourselves, would consume them.

Stethacanthus, the anvil shark

Stethacanthus, resembling modern sharks with a unique twist, became extinct around 299 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. Unlike typical sharks, this ancient creature sported an unusual dorsal fin – broad and flat at the top like an anvil or a pop socket attached to its back, adorned with tooth-like scales.

This shark was quite diminutive, measuring around 2 feet long when fully grown, and likely subsisted on a diet of tiny fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. The peculiar dorsal fin shaped like an anvil is seen only in male Stethacanthus, prompting researchers to speculate that it might have been used during mating rituals.

Edestus, the scissor-tooth shark

307 million years back, a type of shark known as the scissor-toothed shark became extinct. The biggest specimen among them, E. heinrichi, is believed to have reached a mature length of approximately 22 feet, which is roughly equal to the size of the largest living great whites when fully grown.

Fossils often consist mainly of spiral structures called whorls, adorned with tiny teeth. When alive, these whorls sat along both the upper and lower jaws, creating a scissor-like effect in the mouth. The teeth were substantial and tiled over each other, emerging at the back of the mouth initially before gradually moving forward to replace worn or damaged teeth as time passed.

At any given stage in Edestus’ lifespan, it usually possessed 12 teeth arranged in a whorl, and throughout its lifetime, it could develop up to 40 of these teeth. When Edestus closed its distinctive jaw, the teeth functioned like a meat grinder, drawing in soft-bodied prey.

Helicoprion, the buzzsaw shark

Helicoprion was widespread, with its fossils discovered in North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. It became extinct approximately 250 million years ago, earning its unusual nickname due to its spiral jaw, lined with teeth. The teeth at the center of the spiral are small, while they grow larger as you move towards the outside. Similar to a scissor-tooth, Helicoprion’s tooth whorls were designed to catch prey and draw them into its mouth.

Different teeth in Helicoprion facilitated various feeding actions: The front teeth functioned as hooks, pulling in prey, while the middle ones served as spears to hold it steady. Lastly, the back teeth had a piercing and tearing action that pushed prey towards its throat. This versatile tooth arrangement likely enabled Helicoprion to feed on both soft-bodied and hard-shelled prey.

2025-06-17 21:47