OTODUS OBLIQUUS ( MACKERAL SHARK ) TOOTH IN MATRIX - Khouribga, Morocco

PALEOCENE PERIOD:  60 million years ago

This fossilized shark tooth once graced the ferocious jaws of a large shark now extinct, called the Mackeral Shark, otherwise known as Otodus obliquus.  This creature is thought to be at the heart of the White shark family tree and is found in hard sandstone rock matrix in the phosphate mines in Khouribga, Morocco.  The Mackeral Shark was king of the Paleocene seas 60 million years ago and is the prehistoric ancestor of the modern Great White Shark.

The features of these teeth are common to all Otodus species, a massive root and large separate cusplets flanking the much larger, and heavy center crown.  The characteristics indicate a highly developed and efficient hunter-killer.  One can gain some insight into how this extinct creature lived by looking at the behavior of the Great White Shark.

In order to catch its food a shark will go along the sea bottom and look for shapes at the surface.  If it sees something similar to the shape of its desired prey, they charge full speed. They ram the prey and give it a first bite all in one motion, which stuns and injures the prey. It then disappears and allows the prey to bleed to death.  When it’s certain the prey’s dead it begins to feed. Sharks don’t chew their food, they just rip it into mouth-sized pieces and swallow it whole.  A big meal can last a shark up to two months.

The tooth specimen here possesses beautiful enamel and coloring, displaying gorgeous tones and hue.  The cutting edges are still razor sharp.  All teeth are still attached to the matrix in which they were found and may possess minor restoration.  Rare in this grade.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND VERY AFFORDABLE! 

5" - 3.25" long x 4" - 2.5" wide with matrix, tooth 3" - 1.5" in length on the diagonal edge

$35 - $125     SH1     STAND INCLUDED