Megalodon Tooth
Megalodon, also known as Carcharocles megalodon, or "big tooth" in Ancient Greek, was a giant species of shark. The average tooth from one of these ancient creatures spans over 4 inches in height. Although they’re extinct, specimens of Megalodon teeth, both genuine fossils and replicas, are available to collect.
How old are Megalodons?These sharks have been extinct for at least 2.6 million years. While the age of an average Megalodon fossil can range from 2.6 million years to as far as 26 million years old, many specimens found are around 2.6 million years old, as it was a time many species went extinct at the same time frame. However, each shark tooth must be individually examined for the age to be verified.
How many teeth does a single Megalodon have?For the typical species of its kind with all impressions, there will be up to six rows of teeth. A single shark would have 24 upper jaw impressions as well as 22 lower jaw impressions which would account for up to 276 teeth in total. You can find a variety of Megalodon tooth sizes, both fossils and detailed replicas, for collection or display.
Why are Megalodon fossils different colors?The color of the specimen can be based on the environment where the item was originally found. Rivers of the Southeast United States are rich in phosphates that can color the fossil gray, black, or brown.
What conditions are observed for rarity in a fossil?There are many factors that can determine the rarity of a specimen, such as:
- Enamel - Fossilized teeth tend to have enamel that peels.
- Root - Many fossils can be chipped or cracked at the root, with a select few that do not.
- Chipped edges - Are any edges chipped? Does the fossil draw to a fine sharp edge?
- Color - Grey, black and brown can be considered common colors, while any other color observed is more rare.
- Bourlette - This is the part of the Megalodon tooth fossil that is located between the root and enamel. Knowing what a Megalodon bourlette looks like can help you distinguish between a Megalodon tooth and a tooth from a different kind of shark.
A single fossil can weigh from half a pound to 2 pounds. Weight can vary on a single specimen because many factors affect the weight, such as the size of the specimen, the weight when the tooth was found versus the weight after it was dried out and barnacles, mud, and other materials on the specimen were removed. The weights of replica Megalodon teeth will vary based on the materials they’re made from.
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