If you’ve ever gone to the beach and stepped on something sharp, it may have been a fossilized shark tooth!
Or it could have just been a broken shell. Or a rock. Or maybe a modern shark tooth! Finding sea specimens at the beach is always exciting, and shark tooth fossil identification skills can let you realize just how neat some of these specimens really are. But fossilized shark tooth identification isn’t always easy– so here are some tips to help you know what you spotted in the sand.
Tips for Shark Tooth Fossil Identification
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced fossil hunter, these tips will help you distinguish a fossilized shark tooth from a rock or a modern tooth, and even identify the species it came from.
1. Understand The Fossilization Process
Shark teeth become fossils through a process where minerals replace organic material over millions of years. Fossilized teeth are typically harder and denser than modern teeth, and they often take on the color of the surrounding sediment. They’re usually shades of black, brown, or gray.
2. Look for Shape and Symmetry
Shark teeth have a distinctive triangular shape with sharp edges. And unlike most rocks, teeth are usually symmetrical. The shape is a great clue!
3. Examine the Texture
A fossilized tooth will often have a smoother, more polished surface compared to the rough texture of most rocks. This polished look is due to the mineralization process and the wear it has endured over millions of years.
4. Check for Serrations
Many shark teeth, especially those from pelagic predatory species like the great white or megalodon, have serrations along the edges. These serrations are typically more pronounced in fossils than in modern teeth, as they tend to wear down in live sharks.
5. Look at the Root
The root of a fossilized shark tooth is often thicker and more robust than that of a modern tooth. While modern teeth can have a whitish root, fossilized roots are typically darker and may blend seamlessly with the crown.
6. Research Common Species
Knowing what some of the common extinct and living shark species in your area are can help with fossil shark tooth identification. For example, megalodon teeth are significantly larger than most modern shark teeth and have a broad triangular shape and fine serrations. Tiger sharks have curved teeth with a distinct notch and pronounced serrations, and mako sharks have long, slender teeth with smooth edges and a slight curve.
Shark Tooth Fossil Identification Made Easy
