MEGALODON FOSSIL SHARK TEETH
|
Megalodon "Big Tooth" EARLY MIOCENE to EARLY PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 20 million years ago to 1.6 million years ago
There are two schools of thought, both with excellent arguments, that attribute this monster shark to different lineages. The original name was Carcharodon megalodon and a latter theory has renamed the shark to Carcharocles megalodon.
Fossil teeth of the Megalodon shark are of special interest to collectors. The finest grade Megalodon teeth are some of the most promising investment fossils. Their demand continues to grow strongly and the few regions that such quality teeth are found are now either off-limits to public collecting or have been heavily collected out over the past decade to feed such demand in the market.
Unlike nearly every other Megalodon shark tooth dealer, we sell EVERY tooth we acquire and our primary focus over the years has been to stick with only the best and most unique Megalodon teeth. These teeth come at a price, though, and every year, they go up. The most subtle attractive features, unique coloration, etc., can radically up the value. If you want the best or most unusual, the premium price is well worth it and what seems like a full price today will be an unbeatable bargain tomorrow as the market continues to escalate for the premium Megalodon teeth.
Special thanks is due Chris and Monique Fallows of Apex for the use of their amazing Great White Shark photos above. Chris and Monique are dedicated to saving these beautiful and mysterious creatures from extinction. We fully support Chris in his shark preservation efforts and WE STRONGLY CONDEMN the sale of any MODERN shark products. We would hope you share the same responsible thinking. Please visit Chris and Monique's fantastic site and show your support in preserving sharks from extinction by purchasing one of their masterpieces. All images and text on this site are protected by copyright and may not be used in any manner. |
Imagine
swimming in the water and suddenly without warning, being slammed by
something as big as a Greyhound bus... but this bus is different. It
has teeth the size of dinner plates and can swallow a full-grown horse in
one gulp. Second only to the sperm whale as the largest ocean
predator that ever lived, no sea creature could have ever been more
dangerous than
the infamous and (fortunately) extinct
MEGALODON shark.
From
the Miocene Period 20 million years ago to the Plio-Pleistocene Period
1.6 million years ago, the ancient seas were terrorized by this
beast. It is estimated that Megalodon could have easily reached 60 feet in length
and
weighed over 52 tons. Some researchers have stated lengths could
have attained up to 80 feet! Fossil teeth have been found that exceed 7 inches in
length. No
one knows exactly what a Megalodon shark looked like but from the shape
and structure of the teeth, it is most likely that the appearance was
similar to a stocky Great White shark times six!
Megalodon was the second
largest predator that ever existed on this planet, the largest being the
sperm whale. Megalodon was larger and heavier than T. rex. Scientific reconstructions of this shark estimate the dorsal fin 5.5
feet tall, the pectoral fins at 10 feet in length and the tail over 12
feet high. If you were unfortunate enough to have a Megalodon
shark swim
over you, the pectoral fins would measure 30 feet from tip to tip with a
torso in excess of 10 feet thick! The jaws were so large that
this shark would be able to swallow a Rhinoceros whole. A
predator this size would have most likely fed on large marine
vertebrates, especially whales.
Much
has yet to be discovered about this giant killer including the reason for
its extinction. Some have theorized that such a large shark must
have needed equally large prey to sustain itself, namely large
whales. As the ocean environments dramatically fluctuated with glacier
and tectonic activity, large areas of ideal habitat were affected and even
eliminated. Megalodon's food source changed because of this and the
combination of these factors adversely affected the ability for such a
massive predator to survive.
Megalodon
teeth in the highest Grade 10 categories are the
rarest and foster incredible collector demand far in excess of their
availability. Even amongst dealers, many dealers personally collect
teeth and usually keep the best specimens they acquire, selling off the
more common ones for prices substantially less than the "best" teeth they
personally keep. 
Lastly and
most important, AVOID any teeth with restoration or repair if you want a
specimen that will appreciate.
Unlike all other types
of fossils, Megalodon teeth with ANY (even the slightest!)
repair or restoration should and will sell FOR A FRACTION of the exact
same tooth without such enhancements. Teeth without ANY trace of
restoration or repair are WORTH MUCH MORE the price of teeth with such
work performed.
More
and more, we are seeing teeth around 5 inches having some restoration and
this is becoming a big problem with teeth over the 5 inch size
class. The nature of restoration that is done is of very high
quality and can go unnoticed without a trained eye and close
examination. Caveat emptor!
As a rule, Paleo Direct, Inc. does NOT sell any Megalodon teeth with
repair or restoration. We avoid such teeth and suggest you do the
same and purchase a natural tooth within your budget rather than a large
specimen that has been "doctored up".