The biggest shark ever

Jaws may have terrified you at the cinema, but the iconic great white would have been dwarfed by Carcharocles megalodon, the largest shark in the history of the planet.

The giant creatures lived between 23 million and 2.6 million years ago and scientists are divided over how and why the species perished.

The predator grew up to an incredible 59 feet (18 metres) long, and it used its giant teeth, that could grow up to 7.1 inches (18cm) to feed on smaller marine mammals.

In the past, climate changes have generally been blamed for its disappearance.

But in March this year, researchers from the University of Zurich have discovered the giant shark became extinct because the diversity of its prey decreased and new predators appeared as competitors. n

Blue sea slug

Also known as the sea swallow, blue angel, blue glaucus, blue dragon and with many more names. They are characterised by a flat body that has six appendages branching off from it. The beautiful blue colours make its appearance quite striking.

It is known for its stinging nematocysts — a defence mechanism that makes it dangerous to not only other aquatic life, but humans as well.

With not more than 1.2 inches in length, these tiny species of nudibranch has been observed to kill and feed on the much larger Portuguese man o’ war (blue bottle); storing and concentrating the creature’s venom for its own use at a later time.

This practice has made the little blue creature a very respected organism amongst divers and swimmers, and obviously grants it a good amount of protection from predators.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 15th, 2016