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Megalodon Shark Tooth — South Carolina

Miocene to Early Pliocene Epoch (approx. 23 – 5 million years ago)

No reserve

Lot Closed

December 13, 07:51 PM GMT

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Megalodon Shark Tooth — South Carolina

Otodus megalodon

Miocene to Early Pliocene Epoch (approx. 23 5 million years ago)

South Carolina


6⅜ x 5¼ inches (16.3 x 13.5 cm).


Extremely large tooth from the front (anterior) upper jaw position as indicated by the symmetry and wide lobes on the compressed root. This tooth features intact serrations, a lustrous black bourlette, a gunmetal gray root with hints of tan, and an enamel with hints of gray, green, black, and blue. Anterior side shows minor evidence of restoration to the enamel. Small, naturally-occurring hole in anterior side of root from marine life activity.

Otodus megalodon (formerly known as Carcharodon megalodon) was a giant prehistoric shark that roamed the open seas, armed with huge, serrated, razor-sharp teeth. The largest predatory shark ever to have lived, Otodus megalodon grew up to three times the size of its closest living relative, the modern great white shark. Because estimates are based solely on teeth and fragmentary vertebral remains, upper size limits of this apex carnivore range from 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 m) in length, with estimated weights ranging between 40,000 and 120,000 pounds (18 to 54 metric tons).


Otodus megalodon ranks among the largest predators ever to grace the Earth. With a name meaning "big tooth" and a bite force more than double that of Tyrannosaurus rex, it is no wonder that Otodus megalodon is considered the greatest predatory fish of all time.