When anyone mentions sharks, the first thing that pops into anyone's head are their sharp teeth, of which they have many rows of! Though deadly enough to kill any living thing, shark teeth are more fascinating than people think especially these ones Megalodon Teeth - Fossilicious
Part of their reliable hunting strategy, sharks from millions of years ago are identified today thanks to the teeth they've left behind.
Fact #1: Human teeth are stronger than shark teeth
Most people are stunned to learn that human teeth are significantly more durable than shark teeth. This is part of the reason why it's so easy to find shark teeth souvenirs on the ocean floor! Sharks often lose their teeth and the lost teeth are replaced by new ones through different developmental stages.
Fact #2: Many shark teeth have become fossilized
Part of the reason so much is known about prehistoric sharks is thanks in no small part to the fact they get embedded in sedimentary rocks. It takes approximately 10,000 years for teeth to become fossilized, which is also ideal for paleontologists to study. Check out https://www.fossilicious.com/megalodon-teeth/
Fact #3: Megalodon teeth are highly sought after by collectors
As shark teeth are fairly easy to find, the most highly prized by collectors are the megalodon teeth. They are a rare find but also the largest known shark teeth in existence, measuring a stunning 7.1 inches in height.
Fact #4: Shark teeth have no roots
Unlike human teeth, shark teeth actually have no roots and break off fairly easily. That means when they attack and bite into their prey, their teeth break off. A shark can lose tens of thousands of teeth in their lifetime.
Fact #5: Sharks have teeth layered in rows
Unlike humans with a singular row of teeth, shark teeth are in layered rows. The fresh growing teeth are behind the old, and it is not unheard of for a shark to have up to 15 rows of teeth.
Fact #6: 1611 was the year the first shark tooth was identified
Fabio Colonna was the first person to identify shark's teeth for what they were in 1611. Originally, it was believed that teeth were tongue stones, and it was at a later time that Nicolaus Steno illustrated shark teeth inside of the creature's mouth.
Fact #7: Shark teeth doubled as tribal tools
In much of Oceania and America, native tribal peoples used shark teeth as tools for forming clubs and daggers. In some instances, they were also used for preparing foods, while on Easter Island, such teeth were used to make inscriptions.
Shark teeth in and of themselves hardly sound interesting, but they offer insight into some of the biggest and most dangerous predators known to man. From their prehistoric relatives to their modern selves, sharks offer a look into the ancient past and allow scientists to study the prehistoric periods of the planet. Highly sought after by collectors, shark teeth are also great collectible fossils that often bring bragging rights and an educational experience to light. Many people are simply fascinated by how a lack of durable teeth can't stop these killers! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_tooth
