The fossil record suggests that Megalodon fed on a wide variety of prey. Smaller marine mammals, like dolphins, seals, and manatees were obvious targets, but even the largest early whales were not safe from this enormous apex predator. How do we know all about this super-shark's diet? Megalodon fossil poop.

This specimen is a complete Megalodon coprolite, a fossilized piece of shark poop that dates back over 3,600,000 years. Coprolites like these offer incredible insight into what the Megalodon ate in life and give important details about the prehistoric food chain.

These poop fossils are the perfect size to hold in your hand or to use as a conversation piece. Trust us, there is nothing like telling someone what this lovely material is after they've picked it up.

Each coprolite is photographed and listed individually by size. These fossils ship in a sturdy carton and include a small information card, which serves as certificate of authenticity

You can see all the available Megalodon coprolites, including smaller fossil fragments in the collection below!

"You're gonna need a bigger boat." ~ Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody, Jaws (1975)

Otodus megalodon, with an average length of 10.2m (33.5 ft), was the largest known shark in Earth’s history, as true a sea monster as any creature of legend. Beyond its staggering size, the unanswered questions around Megalodon have only added to its mystique.

Like other extinct sharks, our reconstructions of this species rely almost entirely on their teeth, as few other fossils have been recovered, but there is one other Megalodon fossil paleontologists can turn to: their poop.

Sharks and their fellow elasmobranchs (rays, skates) have a unique feature to their digestive system: the spiral valve, an internal structure of the intestine that increases the tract’s surface area.

This allows for greater absorption of nutrients from food and allows the intestine to be smaller, which in turn allows for a larger liver and space for larger embryos in females. Additionally, the slow absorption rate means sharks have to feed less often, a definite evolutionary advantage over other species. 

Of course, the unique shape of the spiral valve also leaves an imprint on feces, allowing for easier identification of megalodon and other sharks’ waste.

Among other things, these coprolite fossils allow paleontologists to reconstruct a given species’ diet. Thanks to their poop, we know Megalodons fed on a wide variety of prey. Smaller marine mammals, like dolphins, seals, and manatees were obvious targets, but even the largest early whales were not safe from this enormous apex predator.

Analysis suggests that Megalodon was likely a very intelligent hunter, disabling large whales by crushing flippers or piercing internal organs.

Coprolites have been foundational to paleontology from its very beginnings. Mary Anning, the English fossil collector who made many early Plesiosaur and Ichthyosaur finds, was one of the first paleontologists to realize what coprolites were. Up to that point, it was thought the specimens were fossilized tree cones, but Anning found that they often contained bones, indicating they were feces.

Coprolites remain useful to paleontologists today. Depending on their origin, coprolites may contain a variety of minerals such as phosphorus and calcium which can help identify the species responsible for the droppings and to learn more about their diet.