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Post by Infinity Blade on Oct 29, 2017 2:09:53 GMT 5
Since you mention ramming, do you think O. megalodon could have rammed similar sized prey? I might be able to buy it doing it against orcas that are an order of magnitude smaller, but what about an animal as big as itself? The face/head of sharks don't look as structurally suitable for ramming equally big objects as those of odontocetes.
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Post by prehistorican on Oct 29, 2017 2:24:56 GMT 5
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Post by prehistorican on Oct 29, 2017 2:34:58 GMT 5
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Post by prehistorican on Oct 29, 2017 2:44:10 GMT 5
Since you mention ramming, do you think O. megalodon could have rammed similar sized prey? I might be able to buy it doing it against orcas that are an order of magnitude smaller, but what about an animal as big as itself? The face/head of sharks don't look as structurally suitable for ramming equally big objects as those of odontocetes. Probably not, an average size Megalodon probably has the disadvantage there. But why the hell would one 90+tonnes need ramming for? Why not use it's jaws against the similar size animal? It's death for both animals if they ram head on. Then, what is the 90 tonnes Megalodon going to fight? A blue whale, a fin whale? Those are the only animals of similar size to a 90+tonnes Megalodon. They both have streamlined bodies and the whales don't even have strong robust jaws to absorb the impact. |
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Post by Life on Oct 30, 2017 14:31:03 GMT 5
Since you mention ramming, do you think O. megalodon could have rammed similar sized prey? I might be able to buy it doing it against orcas that are an order of magnitude smaller, but what about an animal as big as itself? The face/head of sharks don't look as structurally suitable for ramming equally big objects as those of odontocetes. I cannot say that with certainty but a large shark can be immensely strong. For example, a great white shark destroyed a "shark cage" in a span of 10 seconds: www.fearbeneath.com/2008/12/great-white-shark-destroys-shark-cage/Megalodon remains (teeth and vertebrae) disclose heavy amounts of calcification, greater than in any shark (extinct or extant). Metaphorically, these remains scream "brute strength" and "the ability to absorb great amount of stresses." Another factor is the sheer muscle mass of Megalodon; expected to have bio-mechanical characteristics in accordance with its inferred lifestyle. I expect Megalodon's physiology to be suitable for ram-feeding behaviors, given its sheer size, implied lifestyle and biological features of its remains. However, it is possible that Megalodon employed different kinds of ram-feeding strategies for different kinds of prey. For general knowledge: www.sharksinfo.com/skeleton.html |
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Post by spartan on Oct 31, 2017 3:43:06 GMT 5
Orcas just aren't very good at killing animals that large. They can hunt and kill up to medium sized whales in large pods because of their intelligence and ability to work together effectively, but their anatomy isn't really specialized for this.
It would take them forever to kill something the size of an adult Megalodon even if it were as defenseless as a blue whale and the shark is anything but.
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Post by prehistorican on Nov 5, 2017 10:53:35 GMT 5
Orcas just aren't very good at killing animals that large. They can hunt and kill up to medium sized whales in large pods because of their intelligence and ability to work together effectively, but their anatomy isn't really specialized for this. It would take them forever to kill something the size of an adult Megalodon even if it were as defenseless as a blue whale and the shark is anything but. Couldn't agree more. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2017 5:35:47 GMT 5
I would think 13-18 Orca specimens could do the job.
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Post by prehistorican on Nov 21, 2017 6:01:36 GMT 5
Well, then highly bold and interesting statement (if you discount the fact the largest item orcas have ever even been close to killing is a 30 tonne defenseless blue whale with over 29 individuals). Do you really think they can kill a shark nearly 2-3x as large with a pod nearly 38% less members! If so please give any reports of orcas killing 70-90 tonne whales. That would change my opinion.  |
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Post by Grey on Dec 12, 2017 5:18:20 GMT 5
As much as it's hard to me to say this, I have my doubts about Honninger claims.
Let's be clear, I'm prety sure there might be (an) actual skeleton(s) in this part of the world but I don't want to rely too much on the claims of the man.
Anyway, on a purely theoretical terms, an Otodus megalodon that large is plausible.
And yes, I doubt a pod of orcas would normally attempt anything on sperm whale-sized, superpredatory shark with the ability to eviscerate any individual in one bite and able to dive deep indefinitely.
Note, I tend to be cautious with the very heavy body mass figures based on Gottfried data. Not saying that's inaccurate, that's possible but the same regression from Randall suggests a body mass 39 % lower at the same length is just as possible.
Hence a 19 m meg could weigh as well about 55 tonnes. Which is still humongous by any standard in the history of animals.
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Post by sam1 on Apr 6, 2019 20:04:03 GMT 5
I actually don't think orcas can kill such a big megalodon at all.
It's questionable if their jaws are capable enough to even bite off meg's pectoral fins.
Also, and more importantly, meg can always just dive deep and out of their reach.
Granted, orcas have been observed to kill basking and whale sharks but I'm assuming that's because they can prevent those animals from retreating into depths.
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Post by theropod on Apr 6, 2019 20:34:28 GMT 5
I actually don't think orcas can kill such a big megalodon at all. It's questionable if their jaws are capable enough to even bite off meg's pectoral fins. Also, and more importantly, meg can always just dive deep and out of their reach. Granted, orcas have been observed to kill basking and whale sharks but I'm assuming that's because they can prevent those animals from retreating into depths. Do you know any accounts of orcas attacking whale sharks? Just curious, because I’ve failed to find any in the past, even though I would expect this to happen occasionally. |
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Post by sam1 on Apr 6, 2019 23:32:07 GMT 5
I actually don't think orcas can kill such a big megalodon at all. It's questionable if their jaws are capable enough to even bite off meg's pectoral fins. Also, and more importantly, meg can always just dive deep and out of their reach. Granted, orcas have been observed to kill basking and whale sharks but I'm assuming that's because they can prevent those animals from retreating into depths. Do you know any accounts of orcas attacking whale sharks? Just curious, because I’ve failed to find any in the past, even though I would expect this to happen occasionally. Far from a full grown adult, yes, but there..apparently the male orca killed it(I guess it's safe to say the shark didn't survived that) himself |
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Post by dinosauria101 on Apr 7, 2019 7:12:53 GMT 5
I'd say minimum 20. That would be one huge shark!
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Post by sam1 on Apr 7, 2019 15:58:42 GMT 5
I'd say minimum 20. That would be one huge shark! How would they kill it? |
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