57-Foot Leviathan Sea Monster Might Have Had Close Encounters With Strong Rival Megalodon as They Pursue Similar Prey

In the present, whales and sharks are rivals and foes, which is nothing new. For millions of years, the hunting whale Livyatan (L. melvillei) or Leviathan had to fight for resources with the gigantic shark Megalodon (O. megalodon). These two coexisted for nearly 9 million years. Still, the megalodon was the last of the two to survive, having lived just 3.6 million years ago. Which species would win a fight between a Livyatan and a Megalodon?

Take a peek as experts compare and contrast the Leviathan and Megalodon to see who came out on top!

(Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
SKEGNESS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Graffiti saying 'mans fault' is seen on the tail of one of three Sperm Whales that were found washed ashore on a beach near Skegness over the weekend on January 25, 2016 in Skegness, England. The whales are thought to have been from the same pod as another animal that was found on Hunstanton beach in Norfolk on Friday.

Leviathan (Livyatan)

Killer whales target other whale species in today's waters, operating in packs to take down their much larger prey. Living whales, on the other hand, have it easy. Those who swam off the coast of Peru some 12 million years ago were pursued by a considerably more powerful predator, a newly found species named Livyatan.

This animal was initially named Leviathan, according to National Geographic, until someone pointed out to the writers that the name had already been used.

Livyatan melvillei was a huge sperm whale identified by Belgian scientist Oliver Lambert and named after the Biblical sea monster and the author of classic novel "Moby Dick." It was no bigger than a current sperm whale, measuring between 13.5 and 18.5 meters in length, but it was definitely considerably more powerful.

The modern sperm whale has no functioning upper teeth and just a few tiny ones in its bottom jaw (primarily used in fights). It feeds by sucking its prey into its open mouth, depending on a surge of water to do it. Livyatan, on the other hand, had a mouth full of massive teeth, the longest of which was a foot long and roughly 4 inches broad. It wasn't a suction feeder at all! Livyatan snatched its meal with a forceful bite, inflicting severe wounds and ripping flesh off like killer whales, but with a three-times-larger skull. Its primary diet was thought to include baleen whales.

According to the Mirror, this made the livyatan a powerful competitor for the megalodon, which grew to be 18 meters long and hunted similar prey.

Livyatan became extinct approximately 12-13 million years ago.

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Megalodon

Dorsal fins higher than a modern-day person protruded from the warm seas surrounding Washington, D.C., between 23 and 3.6 million years ago. Carcharocles megalodon, a mighty shark that previously swam the Chesapeake Bay region and waters across the world, had fins like these.

C. megalodon, or simply "megalodon," is known for its enormous size and razor-sharp teeth. Its Greek name translates to "beautiful big-toothed shark," a suitable nickname for a massive and dangerous hunter with chompers as large as a human palm.

Being the top predator of its day, megalodon ate tiny whales, sea turtles, seals, and enormous fish in shallow oceans all over the world. As it attacked its victim from the side or below, its serrated teeth were helpful for cutting through skin, fat, muscle, and bone. A typical tooth is around 5 inches long from root to tip. The biggest are about 7 inches in length.

Smithsonian Magazine said megalodon's jaws generated 40,000 pounds of biting force, which went hand in hand with his saw-like teeth. Saltwater crocodiles, on the other hand, tear through their food with roughly 3,700 pounds of force per square inch, making them the winners of the prize for the strongest bite of any living species. Humans can only bite into a 150-200 pound steak.

Megalodon, unfortunately, vanished approximately 3.6 million years ago.

The shark's skeleton mainly was made of cartilage, which degrades quickly and leaves no remains. Only teeth, vertebrae, and petrified excrement remain of the beautiful megalodon.

Leviathan vs. Megalodon: Who Do You Think Would Win?

Lambert believed that the leviathan (livyatan) had close encounters with megalodon when both existed. He considered the two creates a "sea monster."

It's "possible they may have fought each other," the expert said as both pursue the same prey.

While Lambert was not sure, researchers from Peru discovered some evidence that supported his theory. They found bone remains from leviathan in 2008. Scientists noted that it had evidence of a bloodshed battle between megalodon because the skeleton of the killer sperm whale was found with "meg" bite marks, Mirror reported.

But who is likely to win in the fierce battle between the two sea monsters?

According to A to Z Animals, livyatan would defeat a megalodon in a battle. The livyatan has the edge in terms of size and speed, as well as more prominent teeth and the endurance to endure through a protracted fight. Livyatan could firmly hold their large prey using their interlocking teeth and inflict deep wounds before tearing their body into pieces.

One issue with the megalodons is the manner in which they attack. They prefer to delve into their prey's intestines. They'll acquire blood and blubber on their first few bites in this situation, and that won't help them kill a giant whale.

Even if it was able to sneak up on the livyatan and land the opening strike, it would be of little use to them. The combat would become a bite-for-bite competition, with the livyatan being able to take more damage than a megalodon.

The fact is that these species most likely swapped kills, and none of them dominated the other on a regular basis. Sharks are vicious and cunning, and whales may be unable to catch a cunning megalodon. Even still, if experts had to choose a winner, they would go with the livyatan.