Unearthed: the cannibal sharks of a forgotten age

Posted on: 11 August 2016

 

August 2016

 

Scientists have discovered macabre fossil evidence suggesting that 300 million-year-old sharks ate their own young, as fossil poop of adult Orthacanthus sharks contained the tiny teeth of juveniles. These fearsome marine predators used protected coastal lagoons to rear their babies, but it seems they also resorted to cannibalising them when other food sources became scarce.

 

Extensive international coverage included articles in:

 

Washington Post

BBC 

Motherboard 

Russia Today 

National Post

The Journal 

International Business Times 

UPI 

Popular Science 

Business Insider India 

Seeker