Shark Evolution

By krosenthal
  • The Silurian Period (443.7 to 416.0 million years ago)
    450 BCE

    The Silurian Period (443.7 to 416.0 million years ago)

    Acanthodians, are the earliest common ancestor of sharks and are extinct today. Acanthodians were fish with a boney-like structure and were one of the first jawed vertebrates to be recorded. Length: The largest Acanthodians were as long as 2 meters.
    Habitat: Freshwater ILLUSTRATION BY DEVONIAN TIMES
  • Early Devonian Era
    416 BCE

    Early Devonian Era

    Considered "The age of Fishes", the Devonian Era followed the Silurian Era. During this time, the first-ever known shark appeared; the Leonodus Shark. Length: 3-4 mm
    Habitat: Freshwater PHOTOGRAPH BY SHARKSIDER
  • Late Devonian Period
    380 BCE

    Late Devonian Period

    Cladoselache was the first modern-day shark species to appear on our earth. Cladoselaches were scaleless sharks with long jaws attached to the skull. Average Length: 4ft
    Habitat: Freshwater ILLUSTRATION BY AIDAN MARTIN
  • Carboniferous Era
    360 BCE

    Carboniferous Era

    The Carboniferous Era is known as the Golden Age of Sharks. During this period of time, the Stethacantus family of Sharks appeared. Average Length: 0.7m-2m
    Habitat: Coastal Waters PHOTOGRAPH BY BBC
  • Jurassic Era
    200 BCE

    Jurassic Era

    The Hybodus Shark is considered a direct ancestor to today's modern Bull Shark. Hybodus Sharks thrived during the Dinosaur Era. Average Length: 8ft
    Habitat: Freshwater ILLUSTRATION BY JASON R. ABDALE
  • Cretaceous Period
    145 BCE

    Cretaceous Period

    During the Cretaceous Period, Lamniform Sharks evolved as one of the ocean's main predators. Lamniform Sharks include (but are not limited to) Mackerel sharks, Crocodile Sharks, and Great White Sharks. Habitat: Shallow Marine Environments ILLUSTRATION BY LIVING WORLD EDUCATION
  • Cenozoic Era
    60 BCE

    Cenozoic Era

    During the Cenozoic Era, Megalodon Sharks reigned our ocean's waters. The Megaladon Shark is extinct today and is the largest shark species to have ever lived. Length: 50ft-60ft PHOTOGRAPH BY NATURAL HISTORY MUSUEM
  • Modern Cenozoic Era (Present-Day)
    20 BCE

    Modern Cenozoic Era (Present-Day)

    Hammerhead Sharks were the last shark species to evolve. There are nine different types of hammerhead sharks. Average Length:
    Habitat: Subtropical, warm waters PHOTOGRAPH BY CARLOS GRILLO