XL 4.2" Quality Megalodon Shark Tooth Serrated Fossil Natural Miocene Age COA

Location: South Carolina, United States

Weight: 8.1 Ounces 

Dimensions: 4.2 Inches Long, 3.3 Inches Wide, 1.1 Inches Thick 

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Early Miocene to Pliocene, 5-23 million years old

Megalodon, meaning “big tooth,” was a massive extinct shark that ruled the world’s oceans from 23 to 5 million years ago, spanning the Miocene to the Pliocene epochs. Far larger than any modern shark, it reached an estimated 15–18 meters in length, nearly three times the size of today’s great white shark, and is considered one of the largest predators in Earth’s history.

Fossil Record and Classification:
The earliest Megalodon fossils (Otodus megalodon, formerly Carcharodon or Carcharocles megalodon) date back 20 million years. Over the next 13 million years, this apex predator dominated oceans worldwide. Fossilized teeth and fragments found on every continent indicate a near-global distribution, thriving in warm coastal waters, continental shelves, and open oceans.

Anatomy and Teeth:
Megalodon’s massive jaws were lined with hundreds of serrated, triangular teeth, some measuring up to 18 centimeters long. These teeth were perfectly designed to grip, crush, and slice large prey, including whales, marine mammals, and large fish. Tooth shape, wear patterns, and replacement rates provide detailed insights into its growth, hunting strategies, and diet.

Hunting Behavior and Ecology:
As an apex predator, Megalodon employed ambush tactics, striking fast and targeting the chest or tail of whales to immobilize them. Its streamlined, muscular body allowed for efficient swimming and long-distance migration, enabling it to cover vast ranges in pursuit of prey. For over 13 million years, Megalodon shaped marine ecosystems, regulating prey populations and influencing evolutionary trends in large marine mammals.

Scientific and Collector Value:
Megalodon fossils, particularly its teeth, are highly prized by paleontologists and collectors. Each specimen provides a tangible link to prehistoric oceans, revealing the immense size, power, and predatory dominance of this legendary shark. From educational displays to private fossil collections, Megalodon remains a symbol of prehistoric marine grandeur and evolutionary achievement.