Rock Identifier
Fossil Shark Tooth (Otodus sp. (Eocene shark fossil)) — fossil
fossil

Fossil Shark Tooth

Otodus sp. (Eocene shark fossil)

Color: tan to yellowish-brown enamel with a cream root. Hardness: ~5 Mohs. Shape: Triangular with a curved point. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) enamel. Texture: Smooth enamel with a porous root base.

Hardness
~5 Mohs
Color
tan to yellowish-brown enamel with a cream root
Luster
Vitreous (glassy) enamel
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Physical properties

Color: tan to yellowish-brown enamel with a cream root. Hardness: ~5 Mohs. Shape: Triangular with a curved point. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) enamel. Texture: Smooth enamel with a porous root base.

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Eocene epoch (approx. 50-55 million years ago) through permineralization within marine sedimentary layers, primarily found in the Phosphatic basins of Morocco.

Uses & applications

Educational collections, jewelry (wire-wrapping), and as a curiosity for fossil enthusiasts.

Geological facts

These fossils often belong to extinct mackerel sharks like Otodus obliquus, an ancestor of the Megalodon. They are often sifted in massive quantities from phosphate mines.

Field identification & locations

Identified by the distinct contrast between the glassy enamel and the stony, porous root. Common in the Ouled Abdoun Basin of Morocco. Field identification involves looking for triangular shapes with serrated or smooth edges in phosphatic sediment.