Cretolamna is a genus of extinct mackerel shark that belonged to the family Otodontidae. They lived from the Aptian of the Cretaceous period to the Ypresian stage of the early Eocene epoch (115 to 48 million years ago). It is considered by many to be the ancestor of many of the famous shark genera, such as the Mako, Great White shark, Carcharocles angustidens, and Carcharocles megalodon sharks.
Family: †Otodontidae
Genus: †Cretolamna
Species: †appendiculata
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Family– †Otodontidae
Genus– †Cretolamna
Species– †appendiculata
Status: EXTINCT. Cretolamna lived from the Aptian of the Cretaceous period, the Paleogene period to the Ypresian stage of the early Eocene epoch (115 to 48 million years ago).
Average Size and Length: Most fossils suggest that Cretolamna was on average between 7 to 10 feet long, with the longest so far at 12 feet in length.
Average Weight: It is unknown, but Cretolamna is thought to be of medium size.
Teeth and Jaw: Most teeth average about .5 to .75 inches. The teeth of Cretolamna are broad with cusps at the base of the main crown.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: Cretolamna was common in waters of North America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Diet: Cretolamna was thought to eat turtles, squid, bony fish and even other sharks.
Aesthetic Identification: Since Cretolamna was a mackerel shark, it is thought to resemble today’s mackerel sharks.