Megalodons Went Extinct Millions of Years Ago. The Prehistoric Predator Could Become Maryland’s Official State Shark

Teeth belonging to the fearsome creatures have been discovered throughout the state. Now, they’re up for consideration by the state legislature

Sarah Kuta | Daily Correspondent

February 2, 2026

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For nearly 20 million years, megalodons prowled the world’s oceans. The massive creatures, which could grow up to 80 feet long and weighed about 94 tons, used their large teeth and strong jaws to subdue whatever prey they encountered—from whales and large fish to other sharks.

The fearsome predators went extinct roughly 3.6 million years ago. But they’re still making waves today: Maryland is now considering whether to make the megalodon its official state shark, reports WMAR-2 News’ Megan Knight.

The effort is spearheaded by Stephen Godfrey, curator of paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum in southern Maryland, and his colleague John Nance, who serves as the museum’s paleontology collections manager.

They say the discovery of megalodon teeth throughout the state makes the prehistoric giant worthy of the designation. The creatures’ fossilized remains have turned up in numerous Maryland counties, and the Calvert Marine Museum has several on display.

Paleontologists have also discovered evidence of a possible megalodon attack: a pair of 15-million-year-old fractured whale backbones. The teeth of several other prehistoric shark species have also been found in Maryland, which scientists think was once a feeding and calving ground for numerous extinct species.

“Turns out no state has a state shark, so we’re hoping Maryland is the first,” Godfrey tells WMAR-2 News. “To me, this is such an iconic animal. I think it’s time for megalodon to take center stage as the first shark designated as a state shark.”

Godfrey and Nance helped write two bills—one for each chamber of the state legislature—which were introduced for first reading on January 14, per WBOC’s Sean Curtis. If the legislation passes, megalodon would become Maryland’s state shark on October 1, 2026. The gargantuan beasts would then join other state symbols, such as the Baltimore oriole, the white oak and the black-eyed susan.

“The megalodon, although extinct, lived in this area for millions of years and is a reminder of the important role modern and prehistoric sharks have played in shaping past and present ecosystems,” according to House Bill 97.

Though Maryland might become the first to adopt a shark, states have honored prehistoric creatures in other ways. Minnesota, for instance, recently named the giant beaver its state fossil. About the size of a small bear, the creatures roamed the area that is now the Twin Cities more than 10,000 years ago. Other official state symbols include the mammoth (Nebraska), Stegosaurus (Colorado), the mastodon (Michigan) and the ichthyosaur (Nevada).

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Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.