sedimentary

Megalodon Shark Tooth Fossil

Otodus megalodon (fossilized in sedimentary matrix)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Varying shades of gray, brown, and black due to permineralization, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Cryptocrystalline (Apatite replacement), Specific Gravity: ~3.1

Identified April 6, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Miocene to Pliocene epochs (approx. 23 to 3.6 million years ago). The biological material was replaced by minerals like silica or phosphate in marine sedimentary environments.

Uses & applications

Primarily for scientific study, museum display, private fossil collecting, and occasionally used in high-end unique jewelry.

Geological facts

Megalodon was the largest shark to ever live, reaching lengths of up to 50-60 feet. Their teeth are the most common fossils found because sharks go through thousands of teeth in a lifetime.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for the distinct triangular shape, fine serrations on the edges, and the 'bourlette' (the V-shaped area between the root and the enamel). Commonly found in coastal areas of South Carolina, Florida, and Morocco.