Just When You Thought It Was Safe

We’re going to need a bigger boat. In fact, we’re probably going to require an oil tanker, and Richard Dreyfuss should start pounding Muscle Milk. Even then, this fish makes the great white in Jaws look like the protagonist in Finding Nemo. Lucky for us, Megalodon, billed as “the largest...

By JOE LAPIN

July 9, 2009

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We’re going to need a bigger boat. In fact, we’re probably going to require an oil tanker, and Richard Dreyfuss should start pounding Muscle Milk. Even then, this fish makes the great white in Jaws look like the protagonist in Finding Nemo. Lucky for us, Megalodon, billed as “the largest shark that ever lived,” went extinct 2 million years ago. No need to worry about its seven-inch teeth or 77 tons of body weight — about 13 elephants — haunting the waters of South Beach and devouring beach vixens. But from 10 to 6 p.m. daily at the Miami Science Museum, you can imagine how incredible this leviathan might have been.

“Megalodon” — not a Transformer — is a traveling exhibition featuring the first life-size sculpture of the marine predator. You shouldn’t expect Hollywood special effects. This is science after all. Learn fun facts such as: If you count the rings in a shark’s centra (vertebrae), you will discover its approximate age. Who knew sharks were like trees? Plus you can walk through a 60-foot-long sculpture of Megalodon by entering through its massive aluminum jaw. Tickets cost $18 for adults, but call 305-646-4200 or visit miamisci.org for discounted prices.
Mon., July 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2009

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