|
|
|
OTODUS OBLIQUUS ( MACKERAL SHARK ) TOOTH - 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. These tooth specimens possesses great enamel and coloring, displaying gorgeous tones and hue. The cutting edges are still razor sharp. Rare in this grade. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND VERY AFFORDABLE! 3" - 1.75" in length on the diagonal edge $55 - $175 SH2 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX |
|
|
