fossil

Fossilized tooth, likely shark tooth

Fossil selachian tooth; possibly Otodus/Carcharocles or related shark, identification uncertain from image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Pale cream to gray, glossy enamel-like surface, tapered triangular form, and apparent worn root; fossils are commonly composed of apatite (calcium phosphate) replacing original tooth material. Mohs hardness is roughly 5, with no true cleavage and specific gravity around 3.1–3.2.

Identified September 3, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A shark tooth was shed, buried in marine sediment, and mineralized through diagenetic replacement over millions of years, commonly during the Cenozoic (about 66 million years ago to present).

Uses & applications

Primarily a collectible, educational specimen, or jewelry component; not used industrially or structurally.

Geological facts

Sharks continuously replace teeth, so individual teeth are abundant fossils. Color varies with groundwater minerals and sediment chemistry rather than species alone.

Field identification & locations

Identify by enamel-like luster, dense mineralized feel, a distinct crown and root, and—if preserved—serrations or cutting edges. Common deposits occur in marine sediments of Florida, the Carolinas, Morocco, Peru, and Australia.