Maryland designates megalodon the official state shark

Prehistoric Giant Becomes Maryland's Iconic State Shark

Maryland became the first state to designate an official shark on April 14, 2026, naming the extinct Otodus megalodon whose fossils are abundant in the Chesapeake Bay region, including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. The Calvert Marine Museum championed the bill to boost education on marine heritage.

Megalodon set to become Maryland’s state shark

The Bay State is now home to the first state shark in the country.

Maryland has a new state shark: the Megalodon

Maryland makes waves by naming the extinct Megalodon as its official state shark.

Maryland lawmakers approve first state shark in the nation — the megalodon

Maryland is poised to be the first state in the country to designate its own state shark — the megalodon. In a last-minute move on the last day of the legislative session Monday, lawmakers gave approval to making the mighty, extinct shark a state symbol. The megalodon is the largest shark to have ever lived, growing to 80 feet. Beachcombers regularly find its massive teeth along the Chesapeake Bay. The legislation awaits Gov. Wes Moore’s signatu…

Maryland designates megalodon the official state shark

Maryland is the first state in the country with an official state shark.

Bill to make the megalodon the Maryland state shark passes on final day of legislative session

In a last-minute move, lawmakers get through a bill to designate the megalodon as the Maryland state shark