fossil

Fossil shark tooth

Likely a fossilized shark tooth, possibly Carcharhinus or a related requiem shark; exact species is indeterminate from the image.

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Brown-orange, opaque, and slightly lustrous with a pointed crown and broad root; fossil enamel is typically Mohs ~5–6, while the porous root is softer. The triangular form and root lobes are characteristic of shark dentition.

Identified August 22, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A tooth shed by a shark, rapidly buried in marine sediment and mineralized through diagenesis, commonly during the Neogene (about 23–2.6 million years ago), though age cannot be confirmed visually.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collectible, educational specimen, or jewelry component; it has no significant industrial use.

Geological facts

Sharks continuously replace teeth, allowing abundant fossilization. Brown coloration commonly results from mineral replacement and iron staining during burial.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the enamel crown, central cusp, bilateral root lobes, and cutting edges; common sources include Florida and the southeastern United States, Morocco, Peru, and Australia. A scale reference, serration detail, locality, and provenance are needed for species identification.