fossil

Fossil shark tooth

Likely fossilized shark tooth, possibly Carcharhinus or Otodus species

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small triangular tooth with yellow-brown mineralized enamel and darker, weathered root; enamel is hard (about Mohs 5–6), glossy to matte, with bilateral symmetry and serration detail possibly worn away.

Identified August 13, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A biological fossil rather than an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock: the tooth was buried in marine sediment and mineralized during diagenesis, commonly during the Miocene–Pliocene (about 23–2.6 million years ago), though age depends on locality.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collectible and educational specimen; attractive examples are used in jewelry, displays, and museum collections.

Geological facts

The visible triangular crown and contrasting root are characteristic of shark teeth. Shark teeth are continuously replaced, so they are relatively abundant in marine fossil deposits.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in coastal sediments, river dredgings, and marine fossil beds, especially along Florida, the Carolinas, Maryland, Morocco, and Indonesia. Identify by a hard enamel crown, distinct root, and tooth-like symmetry; confirm species by crown shape and serrations.