North Carolina beachgoers reported finding gigantic shark teeth that had washed up on the shore. The teeth are believed to be from a Megalodon - a giant prehistoric shark that roamed the seas millions of years ago - according to WECT.
The Megalodon teeth apparently started showing up on North Topsail and Surf City beaches after coastal storms hit the area early this month. The enormous teeth measure up to six inches long and easily cover the palm of an adult.
Experts from the Aurora Fossil Museum said the length of a Megalodon could be estimated by how long its teeth are: a one-inch tooth means the prehistoric predator was about 10 feet long. This means the Megalodon teeth found on North Carolina beaches could belong to a beast measuring up to 60 feet long, WITN reported.
It is not uncommon to find Megalodon teeth in North Carolina. In fact, it is known as a good place to hunt for fossilized giant shark teeth. Some diving tours even offer opportunities to look for Megalodon teeth underwater. However, spotting some of these just lying along the shore is not a common experience.
The prehistoric marine predator lived around 16 million years ago. It was said to have a powerful bite - about three times more powerful than that of the T. rex, which had the most powerful bite among land animals during its time - according to National Geographic.
