10 Interesting Facts About Shark Teeth
Sharks are among some of the most mysterious creatures in the ocean. While their reputation as a fierce, human-attacking predator is most popular, they’re actually full of powerful energy and history that can enrich our lives. Once you learn all about how unique their teeth are, you’ll be racing to buy a shark tooth necklace or scope the beach to start your collection.
Important Facts About Shark Teeth
Your next beach vacation just got a little more exciting! Whether you’re an avid tooth hunter or just want to wear a fabulous shark tooth necklace, you need to know a little more about what makes these fangs so unique. Our top facts about shark teeth will help you become more of an expert so you can find and identify them more easily.
Top Ten Facts about Shark Teeth
- Sharks grow up to 50,000 teeth in their lifetime.
- Fossilized shark teeth are darker in color.
- You can identify shark teeth by looking for a triangular shape.
- There are many places to hunt for shark teeth in the United States.
- Each shark species has a unique shape.
- The best time to look for shark teeth is in the morning.
- The rarest shark fossil is the Megalodon tooth.
- Shark teeth hold a lot of value.
- A shark tooth necklace symbolizes protection.
- Check your shark tooth necklace authenticity by looking at color and markings.
1. How Many Teeth Do Sharks Have?
Believe it or not, sharks can grow up to 50,000 teeth throughout their lifetime. Sharks are lucky because, unlike humans, if they lose a tooth, it’ll be replaced within days. These hungry creatures will rip their teeth out just as quickly as they lose them.
Most sharks have fifteen rows of teeth in each jaw, making a total of 300 chompers. However, when they bite into a tasty snack, they might lose several of these teeth at once. Most don’t know that since shark teeth rip out so easily, it is their jaw strength that allows them to get a strong bite.
Shark tooth necklaces are popular because so many teeth constantly fall out of sharks’ mouths and into the ocean. This rapid loss and reproduction of teeth make it easy for us humans to find and identify them with some practice. Even fossilized shark teeth are a common discovery since they wash up to the shore over time.
2. Is My Shark Tooth A Fossil?
Most often, the teeth you spot along the beach are fossils. So, how can you determine if your new discovery is fossilized? The easiest way to identify a shark tooth’s age is by looking at the color. Fossilized shark teeth will almost always be black.
Shark teeth become fossils over time through a process called permineralization. When a shark loses the tooth, it will sink to the bottom of the ocean and get buried in sediment. The sediment lacks oxygen, which helps to preserve the shark tooth. If a tooth doesn’t get buried, it will probably disintegrate over time.
The fossilization process is long, so most shark tooth fossils are thousands or even millions of years old. Another thing to look out for is what species the shark came from. Understanding different species of shark teeth can help determine if it’s from an extinct shark or one that is still roaming the ocean today.
3. How to Find a Shark Tooth
Fossil lovers might want to set aside an entire day for tooth hunting, but you actually don’t have to go out of your way to find them. As you walk along the tideline of a beach, keep your eyes peeled for triangular shapes. You might spot newer, white teeth or older ones that are sandy or black.
Serious investigators can dig and sift through the sand for more tooth discoveries. It might be worth your while to bring a sieve or sifter to help sort through the sand faster and more efficiently than digging with your fingers. Plus, you won’t have to worry about washing sand from underneath your fingernails for days on end.
4. Where Can You Find Shark Teeth?
There are tons of sharks all around the ocean, and since we know they lose their teeth left and right, it’s no surprise you can find them in so many places. Any ocean beach should have a few teeth for your collection. However, there are a few locations in which you should keep a closer look if you want to discover plenty of new finds.
Best Places to Find Shark Teeth
- Florida
- North and South Carolina
- Georgia
- Hawaii
Each beach you hunt will have a variety of different shark teeth to choose from. In Florida, you are likely to find lemon, bull, and tiger shark teeth. The most common ones to find when searching the Carolinas are great white teeth.
Georgia is known for its extensive collection of shark fossils. It’s uncommon to find new shark teeth there, but there are a large variety of fossilized gems. They can be found in various colors, but keep your eyes peeled for black and gray triangular shapes when walking the shores in Georgia.
Our favorite place to find a new fossil for a shark tooth necklace is in Hawaii. While it’s not as common to stumble across a tooth on the beach on the islands, there are plenty of sharks in Hawaii’s waters. There are seventeen different shark species roaming the Hawaiian coasts, including blue, whale, hammerhead, and blacktip sharks.
5. What Species of Shark Did the Tooth Come From?
All sharks have their sharp, pointy teeth in common, but each species has its own unique features. As previously mentioned, shark teeth can vary in size and color. Once you know a little more about the different types of teeth, identifying them will be an easy process.
Common Shark Teeth to Find
- tiger sharks
- bull sharks
- great whites
Tiny Tiger Shark Teeth
Have you ever stumbled across a white or sandy-colored shark tooth with short, deep blades? You’ve likely found the tooth of a tiger shark. These predators normally have tiny teeth, only ranging in the area of about an inch. Tiger shark teeth are special because they have sharp serrations used to crack seat turtles and clamshells. These little chompers are perfect for a shark tooth necklace.
Bull Shark Teeth
The bull shark is known for its aggression and vicious bite. It has broad blades that become narrow towards the sides, and just like the tiger shark, its pearly whites have sharp serrations. A bull shark tooth necklace will be around an inch or less.
Great White Shark Teeth
Great white sharks are probably among some of the most feared creatures in the ocean. This fear comes as no surprise since their teeth can measure up to about two and a half inches. Great white teeth have more coarse serrations along their blade.
6. When to Look for Shark Teeth
One of the most important things to consider before you head off on your shark tooth hunting journey is the weather. The best time to go is right after a rainstorm since gusts of winds and crashing waves help stir up sand and debris on the beach. When the immaculate grounds are more exposed, it’s easier to spot shark teeth and other fossils.
When should you schedule your shark tooth hunting trip? You might want to set an alarm and hit the beach before it gets crowded. Early in the morning, the waves have had all night to expose more teeth without the interruption of swimmers and people walking along the beach.
A good trick is to go looking for teeth when the surfers are out, as they tend to have a knack for knowing when the swell is up. Always make sure to check the posted beach conditions and stay safe near the water! If the flags are red, that indicates you should steer clear of the ocean.
7. What is the Rarest Tooth to Find?
The rarest tooth to stumble upon is that of a megalodon. These sharks have been extinct for three million years! In fact, you should feel pretty lucky if you spot one along the beach, as even expert hunters only pluck them on the rare occasion.
Megalodon sharks could measure up to sixty feet in length. Their teeth were huge, too, ranging anywhere from three and a half to a whopping seven inches. Megalodon teeth will always be much darker in color since they are the oldest shark teeth fossils.
Megalodon teeth are some of the most sought-after fossils in the ocean because their discoveries are getting rarer as time goes on. So, you might have to pay a pretty penny if you want a megalodon tooth in your collection.
8. How Valuable are Shark Teeth?
Shark teeth carry a lot of rich history and precious energy, so they are treasured. The value of a tooth will always depend on its age. Fossilized shark teeth are in high demand by collectors, private investors, and shark lovers alike.
Teeth that are larger and less deteriorated tend to hold more monetary value. The most prominent shark teeth on the market can cost up to three thousand dollars. However, you don’t have to break the bank to find an awesome tooth.
In addition to working on your shark tooth hunting skills, you can find tons of affordable teeth online and in local shops on vacation. With Whaler’s Locker, you can add an incredible megalodon tooth to your collection for just over $100. Create a display in your home or carry their empowering energy with you in a shark tooth necklace.
9. What Does My Shark Tooth Necklace Symbolize?
While shark tooth necklaces make a fun accessory, they bring a lot more to your life than just their stunning appearance. Since they have been roaming the oceans for millions of years, shark teeth have rich legends and myths, especially in Hawaiian history.
According to ancient Hawaiian lore, wearing a shark tooth necklace can help prevent shark attacks and other dangers within the ocean. This Hawaiian myth comes from an old story about a man who battled a sea god and came out victorious wearing a shark tooth necklace. Of course, you should always take precautions to stay safe in the ocean, but knowing you have positive shark energy on your side never hurts.
Many people believe that shark tooth necklaces still carry ancient, powerful energy within them today. Hawaiian religion believes in the power of old gods and goddesses, including the god Kāmohoaliʻi who is a brother to Kāne Milohai, Pele, Kapo, Nāmaka, and Hiʻiaka.
Residents of Hawaii still pray to these gods and look to them for divine guidance. When you wear a shark tooth necklace, you’re carrying all the energy of shark gods and deities that have protected Hawaii’s water for thousands of years.
10. How to Tell if A Shark Tooth Necklace is Authentic?
Once you have a shark tooth in your hand, you want to make sure it’s the real deal. Sometimes you might spot other triangular shapes along the beach that appear to be teeth, but might actually be a piece of glass or another type of fossil. It’s essential to understand what makes a shark tooth authentic when shopping for shark tooth necklaces.
You can easily determine if a shark tooth necklace is real by checking out the color and texture. While some manufactured shark tooth necklaces are a fabulous accessory, they don’t give you the authentic feel of a real shark tooth. Some replicas can look mighty similar, though.
Replicas are made out of materials like metal, plastic, glass, and rubber. They are made to match the look and feel of a natural shark tooth, so look closely for unique marks and serrations. Fake teeth will generally look flawless, which isn’t very realistic for a tooth that was ripped out during a tasty meal or was living in the bottom of the ocean for years.
A real shark tooth will develop imperfections over time, including scrapes, scratches, and other forms of texturization. You can also use what you know about the different species to spot unique markings and characteristics.
Now that you know a bit more about sharks and their pearly whites (or tan, black, and greys), you’re on track to having a beautiful collection. Enjoy the fantastic energy of sharks even while you’re at home or on the go with a shark tooth necklace. Don’t forget to check out Whaler’s Locker’s vast collection if you’re shopping from home!