Identification Main page
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| Here are some common teeth that are found on the beach or your favorite shark tooth spot. You may notice different colors that sharks teeth come in. If they are solid white they are usually modern day teeth, any other colors are probably fossil teeth. The colors of fossil teeth are caused by the minerals found in what the tooth was fossilized in. |
Great white
Everyone always thinks they have found a great white tooth, however a few details will help you know
for sure. Great white teeth have serrations or the knife like edges on the sides. They are also usually a
flatter tooth than other teeth and the roots are brittle. Many great white teeth are just the blades or
top part of the tooth.
Sometimes a worn great white tooth will look like a mako tooth. If you look at the edges and check to
see if there used to be serrations on it, you may see little dots where the serrations used to be
depending on how worn it is.
for sure. Great white teeth have serrations or the knife like edges on the sides. They are also usually a
flatter tooth than other teeth and the roots are brittle. Many great white teeth are just the blades or
top part of the tooth.
Sometimes a worn great white tooth will look like a mako tooth. If you look at the edges and check to
see if there used to be serrations on it, you may see little dots where the serrations used to be
depending on how worn it is.
Mako
Makos come in many shapes and sizes, nearly all are under 3 inches and most are in
the 1/2 inch to 2 inch range.
the 1/2 inch to 2 inch range.
Bull Shark
Very common tooth, these are fossil teeth but bull sharks are a very common modern day shark as well.
Makos come in many shapes and sizes, nearly all are under 3 inches and most are in
the 1/2 inch to 2 inch range.
the 1/2 inch to 2 inch range.
Sand tiger
These are very cool teeth, the one on the left is a fossil and the one on the right is a modern day tooth that was found in the sand near a
shipwreck. The smaller teeth protruding from the sides are called cusps, most of the time these are found with the cusps broken off.
shipwreck. The smaller teeth protruding from the sides are called cusps, most of the time these are found with the cusps broken off.
Snaggletooth
A common tooth that usually comes mainly in the two shapes shown above. There are a few
other shapes of these teeth, but these are the most common. The teeth on the left side of each
photo are teeth from the side of the sharks mouth and the teeth on the right side are called
"lower" or front position teeth.
One distinguishing factor on these teeth is the bump in the middle of the root, definitely helps
when identifying worn specimens of this type of tooth.
other shapes of these teeth, but these are the most common. The teeth on the left side of each
photo are teeth from the side of the sharks mouth and the teeth on the right side are called
"lower" or front position teeth.
One distinguishing factor on these teeth is the bump in the middle of the root, definitely helps
when identifying worn specimens of this type of tooth.
Goblin Shark
Once though to be extinct, these very ugly and
unique looking sharks have been found very deep in
asian seas.
unique looking sharks have been found very deep in
asian seas.