The Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons is leading a push to designate the extinct megatooth shark Otodus megalodon as Maryland’s official State Shark, positioning the state to become the first in the nation with such a symbol amid its abundant fossil record.
On February 19, 2026, the museum publicly announced its support for the designation, highlighting Maryland’s rich prehistoric shark heritage. No U.S. state has yet named an official state shark, despite living species in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast, and more than 60 extinct shark species documented through fossilized teeth across the state.
Megalodon stands out as the prime candidate due to its iconic status as one of history’s largest predators, estimated to reach nearly 80 feet in length. Large fossilized megalodon teeth have surfaced in at least seven Maryland counties, including Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, and Prince George’s. A standout discovery includes the only known associated set of megalodon teeth from a single individual in the state—teeth preserved together from one shark’s death rather than scattered shed specimens.
“Megalodon highlights Maryland’s rich fossil history,” said Stephen Godfrey, curator of paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum. “It also reminds us of the important role prehistoric and modern sharks have played in shaping past and present ecosystems.”
The museum views the designation as a source of statewide pride and a powerful educational tool to engage residents and visitors with paleontology and marine science. It would spotlight the ancient Chesapeake region’s role as a nursery and feeding ground for megalodons, evidenced by fossils from Calvert Cliffs and other sites showing interactions with whales and other marine life.
Legislation to make it official—Senate Bill 135 and cross-filed House Bill 97—was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly in January 2026 by Sen. Jack Bailey and Del. Todd Morgan. If passed and signed by Gov. Wes Moore, the designation would take effect October 1, 2026. The bills add the megalodon to Maryland’s roster of state symbols, which includes the Baltimore oriole, black-eyed Susan, and white oak.
The Calvert Marine Museum expressed thanks to Marianne Harms, Sen. Jack Bailey, Del. Todd Morgan, and their staffs for assistance in advancing the effort. The museum, a key institution in Southern Maryland, maintains extensive collections of megalodon fossils and related exhibits, drawing on local finds from Calvert Cliffs State Park and nearby exposures.
This initiative builds on the museum’s ongoing paleontology work, including recent studies on megalodon tooth structure and bite marks, reinforcing Southern Maryland’s prominence in fossil discoveries. Supporters argue the extinct shark’s fossil abundance in the region makes it a fitting emblem for Maryland’s natural history legacy.