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Water was high today, but just like this tree, I didn’t give up. Not as many teeth as I usually get. I get distracted. My first tooth of this type.

Went out to Douglas Point (Potomac River, MD, Paleocene, Aquia Formation) on June 5th, first time taking the kids and we had a great time. Found a lot of sand tiger teeth as is typical. But this one has me a little stumped. The crown seems too wide at the base to be a sand tiger tooth. Could it be a small or juvenile Otodus? Or is it some kind of sand tiger after all?

Hey all, quick question. I am currently in school in the Harrisburg, PA region and am limited in trying to stay under an hour and a half drives for spots. I noticed some posts about shark teeth in the Potomac river but most of what I could find was that these sites are more near the D.C. area. I was wondering if anyone here knew if all of the Potomac had fossils to find or if it is strictly along certain areas of erosion off of the cliffs that the Potomac cuts through? I think either way over the summer I am going to try to end up at the Aquia formation but was wondering if I could potentially hit something up sooner.

Hit the beach hard Saturday with my girlfriend. Water was choppy which kept them coming in. My biggest tooth ever was a 1.5 inch mako in Virginia. Didn't have hopes of finding much with size. But we brought home 430 total teeth. All sizes. During the first 5 mins I looked in the edge of the chop on the water and saw this huge(well it was huge to me) tooth. Ended up being a 2 inch mako which I assumed Meg at first. Regardless was thrilled. After finding alot of smaller teeth(bunches of hemis) I saw another 2.25inch mako just off the water edge. 2 very nice makos within 20 yards of each other. My back's sore from picking up these. Only 41 but I feel 89 right now. A heck of a haul. Search continues for a Meg. Have yet to find one. Getting closer! Seems I'm stuck on good makos for now. GF found a very good cow shark tooth and ray Barbs.

This riker mount displays the best shark teeth that I collected on 3 hunts sifting at Douglas Point beach, Charles County, Maryland. This is the Paleocene Aquia Formation. Bottom row contains several Odotus teeth. There are many goblin shark Anomotodon and sand tiger shark Carcharias. Also appears to be one pygmy white shark Paleocarcharodon in lower left corner.

I was hunting a site on the Potomac looking for some Eocene and Miocene fossils yesterday. When I got to the site I found this gorgeous snake vertebrae about 15 minutes into my trip, so I knew it was going to be a good day. After that it was slow collecting for the next few hours, I was only picking up a tooth every once in a while despite the incredible conditions. But then, 10 minutes before I was about to leave I stumbled upon my best chubutensis yet at about 2 3/4 in. (or 7 cm) rolling around in the surf. One that I have been dreaming about ever since a starting collecting two years ago. A total trip maker! I hope you enjoy the pics!

Guys any help on these would be great. 2 are some sort of black shell fossils? The other appears to maybe be a jaw bone? You can see it's missing a few teeth maybe. Just never found these before so curious what they might be. Thanks in advance.

Ventured out on Virginia side of the Potomac in Westmoreland county Sunday and had a decent day. No wave action so after about an hour the beach was picked over. Did find bunch of teeth but a couple fossils we have never found before. 2 look like shells? Then it's some sort of jaw bone? Like to see what exactly those are if anyone can help. Attaching the 2 shells first and then the jawbone style fossil. Weather is getting warmer but harder to find anything now since more families are coming out and hitting the beaches. Which is a good thing(better than playing video games at home or setting on a couch). Wasn't sure is it's a mammal jaw or maybe drum fish since found a few of those teeth also I think. Found one nice croc tooth also.

Got out to look on the Potomac yesterday and even with the wind and cold temps still had a decent haul. Tons of sand shark teeth. Just posting a pic of the biggest. But had a few other finds that Id like verification on. What type of shark is the second tooth photo? Im assuming the 3rd photo is croc teeth? Is this a claw? It's razor sharp! No idea what the last 2 pics are so any help would be great. Can't wait for warmer temps since my hands wanted to freeze. Hope everyone has a good spring.

I’ve recently bought some fossil shark teeth online to expand my collection beyond the local Maryland fauna (Miocene from the Calvert Cliffs and Paleocene from the Potomac River/Aquia Formation), and it occurred to me that perhaps there are some forum members who would be interested in sharing some of your finds or extras in exchange for mine. The things I have to offer are shown below—mostly fossil shark teeth and a few other things. These aren’t all perfect, but there’s a good variety, including some less common species. I’ve collected most of these myself and have also listed a few purchased teeth for trade. If there’s something that interests you, hopefully we can help each other build out our respective collections. I have particular interest in adding Ptychodus sp. and Cretodus sp. teeth from the Cretaceous to my collection, but I’m open to a broad range of offers. U.S. trades are likely easiest for shipping, but I’m happy to consider international offers too. Thanks for looking! Quick summary of shark teeth available for trade by species (also see photos below): Miocene from Calvert Cliffs - Alopias latidens (2), Carcharhinus sp. (5+), Carcharodon hastalis (1), Galeocerdo aduncus (2), Hemipristis serra (4), Negaprion eurybathrodono (5), Notorynchus cepedianus (1), and Physogaleus contortus (4) Paleocene from Potomac River/Aquia Formation - Anomotodon novus (2), Cretalamna appendiculata (2), Palaeohypotodus rutoti (3), Paraorthacodus clarkii (1), Striatolamia striata (4+), and unidentified sand tigers (4+) Miocene-Pliocene from Purchases - Carcharocles megalodon (1), Carcharodon hastalis (2) I. Shark Teeth Available for Trade A. Miocene shark teeth from the Calvert Cliffs (unless otherwise noted): Alopias latidens (thresher shark) - both pending Carcharhinus sp. (gray sharks) – I also have others available. The tooth on the far right is from a Miocene exposure in Virginia (Westmoreland State Park). Carcharodon hastalis (white shark, predecessor to the great white) Galeocerdo aduncus (tiger shark) – The smaller tooth on the right is from a Miocene exposure in Virginia (Westmoreland State Park). Hemipristis serra (snaggletooth shark) - tooth A is pending Negaprion eurybathrodono (lemon shark) Notorynchus cepedianus? (sevengill cow shark) – This is most likely N. cepedianus though it’s a partial so I don’t know if it can be definitively ID’ed. Physogaleus contortus (tiger-like shark) B. Paleocene shark teeth from the Potomac River/Aquia Formation: ** I’ve done my best to identify the various sand tiger shark teeth below, but I may have made some mistakes. Anomotodon novus (goblin shark) - both are pending (though I also have others) Cretalamna appendiculata (mackerel shark) - tooth B is pending Palaeohypotodus rutoti (sand tiger shark) – I am pretty sure these are all P. rutoti due to the presence of basio-labial folds (see this elasmo.com page), but I could be wrong. Paraorthacodus clarkii (no common name shark) - tooth is pending Striatolamia striata (sand tiger shark) – I have others available too. - teeth A and D are pending Other non-striated sand tiger shark teeth – I’m unsure of the species on these; some may be Hypotodus verticalis. I have others available too. - tooth C is pending C. Purchased shark teeth available for trade: Carcharocles megalodon – This tooth was collected by a diver from the St. John’s River in Florida and measures a little over 2.75” slant height. I believe these are both Carcharodon hastalis – They are from an estate sale and their original collection location is unknown. They measure 1.7” and 1.2” slant height, respectively. II. Other Fossils Available for Trade A. Miocene from the Calvert Cliffs: Ecphora gardnerae? (gastropod) – If this is E. gardnerae, it’s also Maryland’s state fossil. Drum fish teeth Ray crushing plate fragments – The two v-shaped ones on the left are Aetomylaeus sp. and the other two may be as well. I have others available too. - plate B is pending Fossil corral – I believe these are Astrhelia palmata. I have others available too. Fossil sand dollar fragments – I have others available too. B. Paleocene from the Potomac River/Aquia Formation: Ray crushing plate fragments – I have others available too. Turritella sp. steinkerns/casts – I have others available too.

Hello was in Potomac river area hiking saw this rock, about 5 feet or more. On one side it had shape which looked like due to fossilized remains or head or pelvis of a animal or just water carved it? Video and full size pictures here https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=18z9JWGLYdPZBwCrd3VbRlqZ44GjANR1k

I found the tooth below this morning at Douglas Point (Aquia Formation, Paleocene) in Maryland. The cusp is fairly narrow, it's missing one cusplet and the other is small and/or worn down. But between the prominent lingual protuberance and what looks to me like a small bourlette, I'm getting an Otodus obliquus vibe. What do you think? I also found a tiny Cretalamna appendiculata -- just over a quarter of an inch.

Hello, I found this some time ago at Fossil Beach in Virginia. Can anyone help me identify what bone this is and what animal it may belong to? Thank you! 3 Monkeys Mama

Hello, my son and I had a great time on the shores of the Potomac River in Maryland, USA yesterday. Found some nice shark teeth and also a few objects that may or not not be fossils. We’re hoping you could help. These two pieces were associated with the Paleocene Aquia formation 56-59 million years old. Here are 4 pictures of each of the two objects. #1 #2

hello the west side of the Chesapeake Bay is famous for vertebrate fossils at sites like Calvert Cliffs has anyone found or know or finds of vertebrate fossils on the EAST coast of the bay? thanks

Hello there fossil experts! I'm a total newbie and just went on my first fossil hunt --a couple hours at Purse State Park. I found a bunch (like 60!) shark teeth, mostly tiny but i'm still thrilled. But i also found some things that look like fossil shells, and one thing that looks like fossil scales, that i was hoping you could help me ID. The first picture is what looked to me like fossil shells, but are they? are there fossil shells at purse state park? most of the online discussion of finds there seems to be of teeth, rays, and mouth plates and doesn't mention shells so i wasn't sure. They were mostly found about halfway between the water's edge and the cliffs. the things in the second picture (with two large items) were found basically at the water's edge. Are these fossils? if so, what are they? i thought the one on the left sort of looked like underbelly scales. I also found two small mystery objects which are in picture 2, below the tape measure. Any ideas what these are? they are smooth and seem heavy. Thank you so much!

Out collecting the other day at an Eocene site on the Potomac, one of my kids came up with THREE cool verts! We think they may all be snake verts, but we wanted to get a second opinion. Any thoughts?

Went on a kayak trip on the Potomac for Father's Day with one of my kids. We spent a couple of hours around some paleocene spots. I found yet another lucky otodus right off the bat (sadly, one cusp missing). Between the two of us we then picked up a bunch of smaller teeth and a fair number of ray plates. We also got 3 croc teeth, including a nice fat one I found on my very last pass. I think we also got a small coprolite in there, but not 100% on that, and a chunk of turtle shell. All-in-all, not a half bad Father's Day trip!

I took my kids yesterday for a quick hike out to Douglas Point to get some exercise and check out the Potomac. I wasn't expecting much because the tide was still pretty high and the water a bit muddy. But conditions were better than expected, so we were able to look around a bit. About 10 minutes in, I spotted a really nice little otodus in a submerged gravel line just below one of the bluffs. (Very tricky to see these guys, sometimes, against the dark sand.) It's in great condition and looks like it just came out of the bluff. We poked around as the tide went out for the next hour and came up with some more smaller teeth, some plates, and a few pieces of turtle shell, but nothing as nice as that first tooth. Anyway, it was a fun time and kept the kids busy for awhile! I was happy to find a decent tooth under tricky conditions. Enjoy the pics.

Hi, friends! First time poster here. We found this interesting one at Purse Beach, Maryland. Any thoughts. Thanks! PurdyFamilyFossils ... and please forgive my lack of professional photography skills.

I was out kayaking on a creek on the Virginia side of the Potomac today to do some birdwatching, but in an area I thought might have some Aquia exposure. I did come across one small bluff face, with maybe maybe 40 feet of narrow beach, that I stopped to check out. After about 2 minutes, I looked down and found this guy. My best Otodus so far and still razor sharp! I did find a few more much smaller teeth and a decent ray plate fragment, but nothing special the rest of the day. But this tooth--plus dozens of herons, ospreys, eagles, and purple martins, among other birds--made for an awesome trip. I hope you enjoy the pix .

Hey guys- I was kayaking yesterday near Blue Banks and stopped for a rest and, of course, to see if there was anything interesting lying around. I picked up this piece of what I thought could be fossilized wood, but I'm not sure. It is definitely mineralized, has some very faint slightly radiating lines on the "top" and has a clear pore structure in cross section. Any ideas?

Hi Everybody! I'm glad to finally join the forums. I am a lifelong angler and outdoorsman but only in the last few years have I added fossil hunting to my outdoors repertoire. Although I have always been interested in paleontology, I didn't actually try fossil hunting until randomly running into a little spot on vacation at a Pennsylvania park with a small exposure of Devonian shale. My kids started breaking open rocks and got me into it, and there it was--a tiny clam--my first fossil. I had already heard about fossil shark teeth back home from visiting the Calvert Museum. So one day I brought a makeshift sifter out to Brownie's to give it a try. Not knowing anything yet, I went through quite a few screenloads before I finally found one--a nice little snaggletooth. But having found the one tooth, I knew it could be done. I have been fossil hunting around the DMV ever since, mostly on the Chesapeake and Potomac. I have studied up on our local geology and fossil sites, watched Youtube videos, and read this forum a lot to get fossil hunting tips. This has helped me a lot to get up the learning curve. I have had good luck and made some decent finds for my growing little collection. With the COVID lockdown, I have actually made more fossil trips than usual (as exercise!) and have tried a few new things. Now I'm at the point that maybe I can share back with the forum and not be embarrassed as a clueless newbie! Also, I am starting to have specific questions about methods, identification, etc. where I could use the help of the veterans here. Anyway, that's the basic info about me. I look forward to writing some posts and hopefully sharing some pix. HemiHunter

Hi, I made a few visits earlier this spring to the Potomac (Aquia formation) in Maryland and collected a bunch of shark teeth, most of which look like Striatolamia striata with quite a few likely Hypotodus verticalis as well. I'm hoping to confirm my IDs of a few potential Otodus obliquus and Cretalamna appendiculata teeth as well as get help identifying some others. The teeth in question are below--I'll include composite photos from different angles in reply posts. I've currently categorized teeth #1-3 as Otodus obliquus, #4-6 as Cretalamna appendiculata, and #9-14 as Hypotodus verticalis (based in part on the absence of striations). Teeth #7-8 look like something else to me--could they be Brachycarcharias lerichei? Thanks in advance for your help!