Krisr101 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Good morning! I am a complete novice so this may be very easy for all of you. I was walking the beach along the ocean in Saint Augustine, Florida (northeastern Florida). I always look for shark teeth (of which there are many) but recognize them as being black. I found this tooth and it is cream colored. My husband thinks it might belong to someone’s pet. But, it could be something exciting! What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notidanodon Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Looks like a partial shark tooth to me, could be modern but looks mineralised to me 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperfossils Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 That looks like a partial Sand tiger shark tooth. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkdoctor Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 I would like to nominate this topic for the non-existent "Quirkiest thread title of the year" award the object is a shark tooth that lost its root and has been split in half. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeschWhat Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Welcome to the forum! I like your first photo showing the internal structure of the shark tooth. Happy hunting; be well. 1 Lori www.areallycrappystory.com/fossils www.facebook.com/fossilpoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Looks to be from a Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharhinus taurus) which is pretty much the only shark in the area that has teeth that long and pointy. These sharks are still found along the coast and are a favorite in aquariums with large tanks because they are relatively docile sharks with a face full of of nasty looking teeth that seems to delight the visitors. This tooth may be relatively modern given its color but it could also be quite old and fossilized (mineralized). Most fossil shark teeth in South Florida tend to turn black being stained that color due to the presence of high amounts of phosphate during permineralization. Occasionally, fossil teeth can be found with colors much more close to the bright white of a "fresh" tooth when they are buried in sediments that don't change their color. From the yellowing of the enamel but the bright white root I'd think this tooth is fairly old but has spent its time offshore in the calcareous sand from the beach you found it on. Welcome to the forum! Cheers. -Ken 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSRhunter Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 This tooth looks like it's from Morrocco hmmm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 You wouldn't catch me petting a cat with teeth that size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperfossils Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 @NSRhunter I thougt that as well, maybe somebody lost it and @Krisr101 found it. it's a small chance though that that happened 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 While that coloration is very distinctive in Moroccan fossil (especially Otodus obliquus teeth that we see so commonly from that area), a lighter coloration is not only found there. Florida fossil shark teeth that have not been preserved in phosphate rich areas like the Peace River are often found in creams and amber colors. Even Peace River teeth that have been buried in light colored clays retain a coloration that is far from the gray-to-black color that we automatically think of when Florida fossil teeth come to mind. Makes much more sense than someone dropping a Moroccan tooth on a Florida beach--the species is also not consistent with those from the Kem Kem beds. Cheers. -Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisr101 Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 On 3/27/2020 at 9:49 AM, GeschWhat said: Welcome to the forum! I like your first photo showing the internal structure of the shark tooth. Happy hunting; be well. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisr101 Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 (edited) On 3/27/2020 at 4:31 PM, Rockwood said: You wouldn't catch me petting a cat with teeth that size. Lol! It does look like it could take a little nibble out of you. Edited March 31, 2020 by Krisr101 Missed a word Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisr101 Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 Thank you everyone for your amazing (and quick!) responses. I feel like I learned so much. I look forward to learning more from all of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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