National Megalodon Day
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Where is National Megalodon Day celebrated?
Megalodon day is celebrated by many people in the entire United States.
Who is National Megalodon Day celebrated by?
This is a special day for shark lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and curious kids who love to learn about ancient animals.
When did National Megalodon Day first start?
On June 15, 2021, it was first celebrated in honor of the day the Aurora Fossil Museum (AFM) opened to the public on June 15, 1978, in North Carolina.
Who started National Megalodon Day?
Dr. Bruce Worf, the AFM Board of Directors, and Cynthia Crane (Executive Director at AFM) decided to honor June 15 with a memorable holiday: National Megalodon Day!
History And Timeline
Megalodon was a prehistoric shark swimming the oceans for over 20 million years amidst the Cenozoic Era. It had a mouth spanning 8-11 ft (2.4-3.35 m) wide, filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, and fed on plankton, krill, small toothed whales, and other giant creature.
Megalodon could achieve a total size of 60 tons (54431.1 kg) with a bite strength of around 40,000 lbs (18143.6 kg) per sq in.
As the ice age came, Megalodon likely found itself contending for resources like prey with its natural predators. Just as it was a threat to large mammals in prehistoric times, other Extinct creatures were also dangerous.
It’s also possible that the rise of its rival. Modern-day sharks such as Great White may be the reason why Megalodon went extinct. Because of Megalodon's huge size, they can be cumbersome in quick situations and get outcompeted by Great White on land.
The Megalodon disappeared about 3.6 million years ago, as the Pliocene Epoch came to a close. The fossil records show and history reveal that whales and other sea animals began growing more significant about this time, without sacrificing speed or agility, for which they became known later on.
Dr. Bruce Worf, who actively supports AFM (Aurora Fossil Museum), a longstanding museum that is home to numerous fossils, with the help of Senator Bill Cook and the state legislature, who designated the AFM as a North Carolina State Attraction in 2016, teamed up with Cynthia Crane to declare June 15, also the foundation day of the museum as National Megalodon Day.
Megalodon Existed
The Mega Predator is believed to have existed around 20 million years ago.
20 million years agoMegalodon Extinction
Fossil record shows that these apex predators went extinct around 3-4 million years ago.
3.6 million years agoFoundation Of AFM
The AFM (Aurora Fossil Museum), a nonprofit science museum, was opened in North Carolina on June 15, 1978.
1978'The Meg'- Movie
'The Meg' was a 2018 science fiction action film directed by Jon Turteltaub adapted from Steve Alten's 'Meg: A Novel Of Deep Terror.'
2018Foundation Of The Day
Dr. Bruce Worf and Cynthia Crane celebrated the first National Megalodon day on June 15, 2021, at the Aurora Fossil Museum, North Carolina, USA.
2021Traditions And Customs
The Aurora Fossil Museum teaches people about fossils with exhibits, engagement and outreach programs, special events, summer camps, and field studies. Their main museum features a lot of Pliocene and Miocene fossils found in the neighboring phosphate mine, including some jaw-dropping shark teeth!
The Megalodon is also their 'flagship fossil' as it was one of the largest sharks to have ever existed and is prominently featured on their logo! Events during the day include a barbecue cookout and raffle offering t-shirts and even fossilized megalodon teeth from their collection.
Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Megalodon Day
What better way than to visit the Aurora Fossil Museum and dig the past in their Fossil Park? In addition to viewing amazing fossils found in our region hundreds of years ago, you can pick out a unique stamp for your museum passport.
The Aurora Fossil Museum offers two unique stamps: The Great White Shark's Jaw Bone and The Megalodon Tooth! You can even read books and gain more knowledge about the Megalodon.
Discover paleontology and the science behind fossils by watching a documentary. You can even visit the nearest dinosaur museums to learn more about the cultural history of marine life.
Facts And Stats
The word 'megalodon' comes from the Greek word for big tooth. The shark's scientific name is 'Carcharocles megalodon.' There are many facts about these fishes displayed in fossil and dinosaur museums. Hence, people visit these museums on National Megalodon Day.
The megalodon shark ate about 7,000 million lbs (3175 million kg) of food per week. Cook and eat your favorite fish on National megalodon day.
Megalodon was last seen 3.6 million years ago in South Pacific near America. Hence, many American museums have facts about these sharks in natural history and fossil record departments. People visit these departments on National Megalodon Day.
What is the ecological importance of National Megalodon Day?
Because of their sizes, speed, and powerful bite, megalodon sharks would have been capable of eating nearly any animal in the water, including whales and other marine mammals. They also preyed on giant sea turtles and seals. This day celebrates these carnivorous whales.
What are some events similar to National Megalodon Day?
Shark Awareness Day is celebrated on June 14 annually in the USA, World Ocean Day on June 8, and World Aquatic Animal Day on April 3.
How does celebrating this day promote marine conservation today?
Sharks are essential in the ecosystem by monitoring the species that they consume. They also serve as an indicator for how well the ocean is being taken care of because healthy oceans benefit sharks as well. The balance between predator and prey keeps everything on a level plane. This day helps promote Marine Conservation.
When Is This Day Celebrated
- Monday, June 15, 2020
- Tuesday, June 15, 2021
- Wednesday, June 15, 2022
- Thursday, June 15, 2023
- Saturday, June 15, 2024
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