fossil

Fossilized Shark Teeth

Otodus sp. (Eocene Sand Tiger/Mackerel Shark)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy orange (due to phosphate and silica replacement), Luster: Vitreous to dull, Structure: Elongated triangular crown with visible root bases.

Identified July 5, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy orange (due to phosphate and silica replacement), Luster: Vitreous to dull, Structure: Elongated triangular crown with visible root bases.

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Eocene epoch (approx. 50 million years ago) through permineralization, where minerals replaced the organic structure of the teeth in shallow marine sediments.

Uses & applications

Collecting, jewelry making (pendants), and educational displays.

Geological facts

Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in their lifetime, which is why their fossilized teeth are one of the most common vertebrate fossils found worldwide.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the sharp triangular blade and the distinct, often darker, textured root area. Commonly found in phosphate mines or riverbeds in Morocco and the US East Coast.