Large Megalodon tooth. An impressive specimen with a classic triangular shape and attractive natural coloration. Discovered on the island of Java. The tooth has been professionally restored and stabilized. Otodus megalodon (from Greek, meaning “big tooth”), commonly known as the megalodon, is an extinct giant shark that lived from the Early Miocene to the Early Pliocene, approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago. Fossil teeth of this species are found worldwide, confirming its cosmopolitan distribution. Originally thought to be closely related to the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), it is now classified within the extinct family Otodontidae. Estimated maximum body length ranges between 14.2 and 20.3 meters, depending on the method used.