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I've been visiting the shark tooth site here in the Lake of Constance region quite regularly, since it makes for a nice bike ride to get there and it's also a relatively relaxing activity. I figured I could show you some of the things I've been finding over the last few weeks. Please feel free to revise my ids if they aren't correct. Physogaleus contortus. 18mm. Carcharhinus sp. 15mm. Carcharius acutissima. 16mm. Carcharias sp. 25mm. Araloselachus cuspidatus. 12mm. Carcharhinus priscus. 11mm. Sparus cinctus. 7x5mm. Mitsukurina lineata. 21mm. Araloselachus cuspidatus. 25mm. Carcharodon hastalis. 25mm.

Hello everyone! I have been exploring and collecting since I was young. I lived in Virginia and North Carolina, and am somewhat new to Florida. I enjoy hunting the Peace River and the beaches of Venice. I want to find land sites or canals to explore, too, so any suggestions are welcome. I have been reading very interesting and informative posts on the Fossil Forum a lot recently, and am excited to be a part of your group now. I love history, exploring, collecting, and everything related to nature.

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.

Anybody who has read my recent posts already knows that Tammy and I moved from South Florida to Gainesville so that we could volunteer more with the paleontology department of the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH). Moving out of hurricane prone South Florida and downsizing to a more manageable size house with less yardwork were additional considerations. I've been picking through micro-matrix from the Montbrook site where we often volunteer to dig in the field. It's a late Miocene site which looks to have been a river system much like the modern day Peace River. The site primarily contains freshwater fossils (fishes, turtles, gators, etc.) and some mammalian land animals (gomphotheres, rhinos, tapir, peccary, horse as well as some interesting little critters like pygmy mice, squirrels, rabbits, etc.) but, like the Peace River, contains some marine specimens like shark and ray teeth that are likely reworked from older deposits in the banks. The marine specimens are often in very good condition indicating that they have not traveled far from the banks from which they eroded. For a couple of months I've been picking Montbrook micro-matrix from home. I have a camera-microscope setup that allows me to pick the very fine brass-screen micro-matrix very efficiently--viewing the active area on my picking plate in a large flat-screen monitor which is easy on the eyes and easy on the neck muscles. Because I had this setup at home (which I've used to pick Cookiecutter Creek micro-matrix for the last couple of years) I was able to volunteer my time and efforts working for the FLMNH while the new vertebrate paleontology warehouse was closed to volunteers. Recently, with the new school year starting, the VP warehouse was now open to volunteers. The large building has a very low occupancy rate during the pandemic and the very few volunteers, students or staff are spread out throughout the building and masks are worn at all times inside the building. I've been able to diversity my volunteering expanding on simply picking micro-matrix from home and adding some additional helpful tasks in the VP warehouse. One of the tasks that they need volunteers to help with is sorting through the chunkier end of the collected matrix. The museum collects matrix from the Montbrook site in several ways. They have found that certain layers within the dig site have a more coarse gravel which likely corresponds to stormy periods with an increased flow rate that carries and deposits heavier particles. The very fine sandy/silty layers are thought to be deposited during slower flow rates of the river. These more grainy layers have proven to be more productive for micro-fossils and so when we are volunteer digging at the site we are instructed to collect the coarse layers and pour them into sandbags. These sandbags eventually get processed by wet washing and sifting the matrix through a series of screens with varying mesh sizes. Usually, it is the "window screen" micro-matrix or the even finer "brass screen" matrix (which I've dubbed "nano-matrix") that I end up picking. In a similar manner to how I collect micro-matrix using a 1/4" screen to hold back the larger chunks, they also separate out the coarse bits with a 1/4" mesh and this > 1/4" "extra chunky" matrix has to be picked through as well. The other source of matrix comes from jacketed specimens. As the specimens are prepped out of their jackets the matrix that is removed is also washed and separated into various size classes. These samples are usually much smaller than the amount of material gleaned from full sandbags of collected grainy layers. I just returned from the warehouse a little while ago and decided to write up a report on today's activities. My workspace was out in the area where some of the larger fossils are stored on open racks. You may see in the background some interesting specimens of mastodon skulls which make a splendid background to work by. The > 1/4" extra chunky matrix comes over from the main museum building (Dickinson Hall) on the university campus where the screen-washing station is located. Today there was a couple of big plastic bins with a number of sample bags of chunky goodness to pick through. I work through the bag by pouring out a little at a time into one of the larger cardboard containers that they use to store fossils in the drawers of the cabinets. My task--somewhat mundane but nevertheless important--is to separate fossil from non-fossil, bone bits from matrix. Any complete (or mostly so for the rarer) specimens get put into a "choice" items container while the broken bits go into a "fossil scraps" container. Sometimes a relatively complete bone with a fresh break might mate up with the matching fragment after a bit of searching through this scraps bin. When a match is made the pieces are glued back into a whole specimen and promoted to the "choice" bin--always fun when you can match puzzle pieces and make another catalogable specimen for the collection. Here's the resulting classification of the chunky bits of a "sandbag" sample. The choice bits go into a smaller bag with the collection label and that is sealed within a larger bag with the scraps from this batch. Someone with more experience will review the fossils tossing out any common fossils that are not choice enough to be cataloged or matching up fragments from the scraps to salvage a specimen from the scrap heap. You can see that the bulk of most samples are the non-fossil matrix bits that are discarded. While picking through a batch that was collected back in April 2019 I spotted something that interrupted my picking and brought a smile to my face. It was a partial Notorynchus (Sevengill Shark) tooth. I have never found one of these "in the wild". They are vanishingly rare down in South Florida (Peace River) and I've only seen 1 or 2 that have some from the southern peninsula. Apparently, they are a bit more common in central (Orlando) Florida and further north for some reason. I was volunteering at the Montbrook site a couple years back when someone pulled a beautiful complete lower tooth from the grid square in which she was digging. This is the only time I've even been able to hold such a unique shark tooth before just recently. Last week I was picking samples of the > 1/4" matrix when I spotted a partial lower tooth only missing the last couple of cusps. I didn't bring my camera to the warehouse that day but I no longer make that mistake. Spotting another partial Notorynchus today was a really enjoyable find (even though it was in poorer shape than my last find of this type). I continued to pick through various sample bags of matrix sorting fossil from non-fossil and finding mostly the usual items I've learned to expect from this site. Occasionally, I'd pull a complete specimen and since Richard Hulbert is also in the warehouse I can quickly learn about the species and anatomical location of the novel bone I've found. It's a great way to accrete fossil knowledge one bit at a time. A great teachable moment came not long after when I spotted a (somewhat worn) vertebra that was unusual as it was horizontally oval on one face and vertically oval on the opposing side. Richard quickly recognized this as one of the verts located very near the skull on a species of fish known as Snook (Centropomus sp.). Snooks are a marine species but they are known to venture well into brackish or even freshwater environments. I've seen Snook while hunting fossil in the Peace River (many miles upstream). Richard was able to pull a more complete specimen (also recovered from the Montbrook site) for me to compare my find to and it was easy to see that they matched. Another nugget of fossil information lodged its way into my memory--but for how long? Not too long after I spotted a curiosity that I've seen before. It's an interesting shark tooth with a pair of side cusps on either side of the primary cusp (when these fragile bits are not broken off). I've spotted one of these before picking Cookiecutter Creek micro-matrix and wondered at the ID of this novelty. Some tentative identifications have been posited but the true identity of this cuspy little tooth remains elusive for the moment. It is assumed that this is an older tooth--possibly Eocene in age--that is being reworked into this Miocene site. Hopefully, this little mystery will be solved before long and I'll have a good name to apply to these when they turn up (few and far between). My fun and interesting finds for the day had not completed as the most spectacular was yet to show up. A little over two hours into my task I spotted another novelty sitting among the gravel I was searching--and this time it was complete! A really pretty upper Notorynchus tooth decided to brighten my day and make me question the rarity of this species at the Montbrook site. This was now 3 specimens from this species in only a couple of days picking through this chunky matrix. I've learned that rare fossils can sometimes defy the odds and turn up in clusters with no rational explanation--and then not be seen again for months. I hope I have not seen the last of these as they are such unusual and distinctive shark teeth to find. The particular batch that this curious little shark tooth came from also produced a nice gator osteoderm and tooth, the Snook vert, a few random shark teeth and myliobatid ray plates, a few fish verts and some neural carapace bones--one each from a softshell (Apalone sp.) and slider (Trachemys sp.) turtle. Before I left I had processed 2 large batches of (sandbag) matrix and 7 smaller bags mostly from jacketed specimens. It was a good day "at work" with some nice rarities as well as some great learning opportunities--like I now can recognize the lateral processes of sacral turtle vertebrae. Cheers. -Ken

Water was high, but it was a nice day for hunting. Lots of mushrooms and a turtle on the trail.

The three shark teeth below are all from the Calvert Cliffs (Miocene) in Maryland. I have the two on the left (A. and B.) tentatively identified as Isurus desori, but I'm still learning my mako IDs, including the differences between true makos and Carcharodon hastalis. Hopefully these are identifiable despite their root conditions. I don't know if the tooth on the right (C.) is identifiable or not. Thanks in advance for any help!

planning a trip for the weekend to Cape Ann, Massachusetts (Gloucester-Rockport). I understand that fossil shark teeth are not going to be found how about modern shark teeth? or anything else interesting? (Other than the world's best fried clams) ps. 2 weeks later a weekend in Cape Cod which according to previous posts on TFF is also devoid of fossil shark teeth

hello all sorry no photos yesterday was my 19th trip to Big Brook and i decided to brave the elements despite the forecast (actually i look at 2 weather sites and their forecasts were completely different) No lightning and only 45 minutes of rain i have been looking at alternative ways to access Big Brook beyond just the Preserve. Yesterday i hit the Kovalski Tributary and a couple of even smaller streams feeding that. The highlight of my search was my first coprolite. A few shark teeth, crab claws, a fragmocone, and a bone fragment but definitely not good pickings compared to Big Brook within the Preserve. What i found the most of was garbage; metal, plastic and mostly glass and i must have carried out 10-15 pounds. But, bottom line, any day there is a good day. 7am til 12 noon and did not see or hear a single person. Perfect Covid activity. 45 minute drive each way, just me and the Grateful Dead. Just costs gas & tolls . And i get to forget politics or work or any other distractions and be "totally in the moment". Already looking forward to next saturday's trip and daydreaming about the great stuff i will find

Hey, I've got this meg that I think could be pathological, but I’m not sure. Here are a couple pics.

I have a few shark teeth from Belgium here. Belgian shark teeth are not my area and I'd appreciate some help identifying these. They're from the Antwerp Miocene, around 1/2" each. Thank you, Bellamy

Can Anyone ID the species ? They’re extremely tiny and found in big creek preserve NJ

This shark tooth came from a bulk package, and I’m thinking it’s otodus? But i’m not sure, it’s a little over an inch, and from the Khouribga phosphate beds in Morocco

VERY new to all this - like, started internet research a few days ago. My 4 year old son is obsessed with sharks, so I am taking our family to mataoka beach to look for some shark teeth fossils. I picked up some colanders and sieves from the dollar store to make double level shark tooth sifters, similar to some stuff I saw on this forum. **But how do I know where or which stuff to scoop sift for sifting?** Thanks in advance for any advice - links to videos especially appreciated!

Had to take a day off from work to take advantage of a day without rain. There were mushrooms all over the forest. Some finds would have been better if not broken.

Do all or most Florida creeks hold fossils.? I’m not in an area known for fossils but we have creeks. Can I find sharks teeth? Seems to me the whole peninsula was under water at some point. Sharks must have lost there teeth in what was to be my town as well as some of people he other towns more known for shark teeth.

This could have easily escaped, if it wasn't for the watchful eye!

Hi all, My wife and I often find these on the beach at Walton on the Naze, Essex, UK and have assumed that they are striatolamia from the extreme side of the jaw. Are we correct or are these a different species? Thanks in advance and apologies if I have used the wrong terminology. Best regards, Carl

Found this mini megalodon tooth well embedded in the rock. Took me couple of hours and a lot of patience to take it out!!

Hi can anyone identify this for me? Please and thanks! Found in Cleburne Texas in the bottom of a dry Creek bed. I found a tiny tooth as well that I will post later. I also found alot of other fossils.

My 7 year son spotted this gem the other day. Such a beauty isn't it?

I recently bought some fossil shark teeth from the St. Johns River in Florida (recovered by a diver), which includes some megs and makos. A couple of the teeth--pictured below--also look like they could possibly be great white teeth, but I'm not sure. These are approximately the same size--the tooth on the left measures 2.3" and 2.1" along its slants and the other measures 2.1" on both sides. I think the one on the right is probably a meg as it looks like there may be thin bourlette. The one on the left doesn't appear to have a bourlette; however it obviously has some root wear, so it's possible a bourlette has eroded away. I've included additional photos below. What do you think about these? Any help in ID'ing them is much appreciated. Thanks! More pictures of the tooth on the left: More pictures of the tooth on the right:

Hello everyone, in addition to posting my other topic today, I am going to post this one. With the summer coming to a close, I am preparing to go back to college in Ohio and continue my study of Neuroscience and Mathematics. The rain in Ohio and ID'ing NJ fossils in the ID section often make me lament all of potential NJ hunts I am missing out on because I am at school. So, I thought it would be a good idea to collect micro matrix using a window screen and stock several buckets full of gravel to look through during the semester. Over the last two weeks or so I've had the opportunity to do some early looking and will share my finds in this post. Hopefully I will be able to make many more NJ Micro trip reports during the course of the semester. I am still figuring out the proper mixture of lighting and camera angles. Also, you may notice it in this post, but I am adjusted the properties Exposure, Shadows, and Sharpness to get the optimal view of the fossils. The black borders and resizing of the photos were automatically done by a Python script I wrote. Perhaps with more micro reports I can become better at ID'ing what I find (there are still many things that I have found where I am at a loss for what they are) and taking photos. Enjoy. Here is my setup currently Here is some gravel I've looked through FOSSILS Format: <suspected ID> Maybe Rhombodus laevis AMALGAM OF RAYS 1 (tooth) 2 (tooth) 3 (tooth) 4 (tooth) 5 (tooth) 6 (denticle) 7 (denticle: In middle) Lonchidion babulskii Ptychotrygon sp. 1 2 Ischyrhiza mira 1 2 3 4 5 6 Squatina hassei (potentially) Hadrodus priscus 1 2 3 Ischyodus bifurcatus SHARK TEETH MISCELLANEOUS BUT POSSIBLY DIAGNOSTIC 1 2 GENERAL FINDS 1 2