Maryland Moves to Make Megalodon Its Official State Shark

If signed into law, the state would be the first in the US to designate an extinct prehistoric shark as its official symbol.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays depicting the massive, prehistoric megalodon shark through sweeping geometric shapes and organic spirals, conveying the power and scale of this ancient ocean predator.An artistic rendering of the megalodon, the massive prehistoric shark that once roamed the waters off Maryland's coast, now poised to become the state's official shark symbol.Baltimore Today

The Maryland legislature has passed a bill to designate the extinct megalodon shark as the state's official shark. The bill now awaits the governor's signature to become law, which would make Maryland the first state in the country to officially recognize an extinct species as a state symbol.

Why it matters

The megalodon, which went extinct around 3.6 million years ago, was one of the largest predatory sharks to ever exist. Its designation as Maryland's state shark would highlight the state's rich fossil history and the important paleontological discoveries made along the Calvert Cliffs region.

The details

The bill to make the megalodon Maryland's official state shark was championed by the Calvert Marine Museum and its staff, who have recovered numerous megalodon teeth from the state's beaches. The legislation cleared the final hurdle in the Maryland General Assembly on the last day of the legislative session, with lawmakers tacking it on as an amendment to an already passed bill.

  • The bill was passed by the Maryland legislature on the final day of the 2026 legislative session.
  • If signed into law by the governor, the megalodon designation would take effect on October 1, 2026.

The players

Todd B. Morgan

A Maryland state delegate who penned one of the bills supporting the megalodon designation.

Calvert Marine Museum

A museum in southern Maryland that holds a significant collection of megalodon teeth found along the Calvert Cliffs, and has championed the effort to make the megalodon the state's official shark.

Dr. Stephen Godfrey

A paleontologist at the Calvert Marine Museum who has been instrumental in the push to designate the megalodon as Maryland's state shark.

John Nance

A staff member at the Calvert Marine Museum who has also been involved in the effort to make the megalodon Maryland's official state shark.

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What they’re saying

“To the hundreds of kids, literally, who have written letters and drawn pictures, this has been one of the enjoyable bills that legislators actually had some fun with.”

— Todd B. Morgan, Maryland State Delegate

What’s next

If signed into law by the governor, the megalodon designation as Maryland's official state shark would take effect on October 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Maryland's move to officially recognize the megalodon shark as the state's symbol highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating the state's rich paleontological heritage. The designation will inspire future generations of Marylanders to explore the state's fossil-rich beaches and learn about the prehistoric giants that once roamed the region.