DevilDog Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Has anyone ever found an extant shark tooth on the beach while looking for fossil shark teeth? If so, what color was it? I ask because I found a sand shark tooth in the surf today that is a very light tan/ bone color at the root and the enamel is noticeably translucent near the tip. It looks similar in color to the teeth from Morocco but lighter in shade overall. Condition is absolutely pristine, right down to the cusplets being dangerously sharp/pointed. On this same beach I have found fossil teeth from black to chocolate brown to one G. Cuvier that is orange... I wonder if this find today is actually not fossilized rather just old and stained? I can post a pic once I figure out how... Thanks! DD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Fresh ones are white, with white roots. I'd call yours a fossil (even though color is no indicator of age, what you describe is within the range of variation among fossils, and it came from a fossil-bearing beach). 1 "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Never had the luck to find a recent shark tooth on the beach (or while snorkeling or diving--and I've spent thousands of hours underwater). Still looking though. Most of the recent shark teeth I've seen have still been in jaws in various scientific exhibits (or sadly, in some shell shops). All have been what would be described as some shade of white. I agree with Auspex that it sounds like your find is a really nice looking fossilized tooth. We'd all love to see a photo of it--hint hint. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor Lover Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Fresh ones are white, with white roots. I'd call yours a fossil (even though color is no indicator of age, what you describe is within the range of variation among fossils, and it came from a fossil-bearing beach). Auspex, my fossil hemipristis serra tooth is blue but the tip and serrations are white like a modern tooth. How does that happen? "Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you" Job 12:8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 It's all about the minerals; what the fossils do and do not absorb, and what happens to those minerals over time. How a blue blade with white serrations can come to be is a tough question. The only difference I can think of in the affected materials is that the enamel of the blade has bone-like material behind it, and the serrations are solid enamel. It is certainly an unusual occurrence! "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrieder79 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Auspex, my fossil hemipristis serra tooth is blue but the tip and serrations are white like a modern tooth. How does that happen? Would REALLY like to see a picture of that tooth! Luck is the most important skill of a fossil diver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor Lover Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Would REALLY like to see a picture of that tooth! No problem! I'll PM you some pictures "Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you" Job 12:8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Hi, No MP ! But put them here, WE want to see it ! Coco ---------------------- OUTIL POUR MESURER VOS FOSSILES : ici Pareidolia : here Ma bibliothèque PDF 1 (Poissons et sélaciens récents & fossiles) : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 2 (Animaux vivants - sans poissons ni sélaciens) : ici Mâchoires sélaciennes récentes : ici Hétérodontiques et sélaciens : ici Oeufs sélaciens récents : ici Otolithes de poissons récents ! ici Un Greg... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Yup, I agree let's all see your ice blue and white Hemi--sounds pretty cool. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Me too, please http://www.mbfossilcrabs.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilDog Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Photos added. Pics of the tooth in my hand are "as found". The remaining pics are after air drying for a week. The tooth feels lighter than similarly sized fossilized teeth and the texture of the root is different as well. More like that of several extant teeth I have in my collection. The color and condition are completely unlike any other teeth I have found at this location. Most finds here are well surf-worn and black or brown. In all of my shark tooth hunting on South East NC coast beaches, I have never found a fossil shark tooth this color, and not many in such pristine condition. DD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khyssa Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Beautiful tooth! I've found teeth a similar in creeks but not the ocean. Nice cusplets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pocock Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Nice teeth, thanks for the images. Regards Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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