Shark Teeth

This is a collection of teeth from three different species of shark.

The two smaller types are Otodus obliquus (a Sand-tiger Shark) and Striatolamia striata (a Mega-toothed Shark). Both are from the Eocene (55-34 million years ago).

The large tooth in the middle, around 10 centimetres from the tip to the root, is from Carcharocles megalodon (a Mega-toothed Shark). It lived during the Pliocene (5.3 to 1.8 million years ago).

Megalodon is the largest known shark species, reaching an estimated 15 metres in length. That’s twice the size of a Great White.

There are two similar sized sharks alive today; the Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) at 10 metres and the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) at 12 metres. Both of these species are filter feeders, sifting plankton from the sea water.
But megalodon was a huge predator, hence the sharp teeth.