
06/20/2025
How cool!!!
Did you know prehistoric sea monsters were discovered in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave? 🦈
Two ancient sharks, hidden for 325 million years, were uncovered in the world’s largest cave system. These fossil giants, Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum, once roamed warm, shallow seas that covered eastern North America long before dinosaurs walked the Earth.
Measuring up to 12 feet long, these sharks belong to the ctenacanth group. Their discovery offers an incredible glimpse into ancient marine ecosystems and helps scientists piece together the story of shark evolution as the supercontinent Pangea was forming.
With over 70 ancient fish species now identified in the cave system, Mammoth Cave is becoming a hotspot for prehistoric marine research. These findings don’t just rewrite what we know about ancient oceans — they also reveal how sharks adapted and diversified over millions of years.