fossil

Fossil shark tooth in limestone

Selachii indet.; calcitic fossil embedded in carbonate rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The visible object is a fossilized shark tooth, likely composed of apatite and/or replaced mineral material, set in pale limestone. Teeth are typically 5–6 Mohs, glossy to dull, triangular, and show a distinct enamel crown; the surrounding limestone is chiefly calcite (Mohs 3).

Identified September 5, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossil shark tooth in limestone in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Shark teeth accumulated in marine sediments and were buried, mineralized, and preserved during diagenesis, commonly from the Cretaceous through Cenozoic. The host formed as lime mud or skeletal carbonate lithified into limestone.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collecting, educational, and decorative specimen; fossils may be prepared for display rather than industrial use.

Geological facts

Shark teeth are abundant because sharks continuously replace teeth, while the enamel resists decay. The tooth’s exact genus and age require scale, locality, and detailed morphology.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the triangular enamel crown, sharp cutting edges, and possible root lobes; limestone fizzes with dilute hydrochloric acid. Common in marine sedimentary deposits worldwide, especially coastal exposures and fossil beds.