Whether you’re a collector or not, chances are you’ll enjoy hunting for shark teeth. Not only does it allow you to enjoy the sunny, warm beaches, but you can also come away with some valuable relics of the past if you’re successful in your hunt. Like most relic searching though, hunting for shark teeth takes time, dedication, patience and even a little bit of luck. You can’t expect to walk down the same stretch of beach that hundreds or even thousands of people have walked down that same day and find a monster megalodon tooth waiting for you on the shore.
The truth is that there is really no one specific way to find shark teeth, as many different elements factor into your overall success. If you were to ask a dozen of the most successful shark teeth hunters in the world what method works best for them, chances are they would all tell you something else. So, if a method doesn’t work, keep trying and don’t give up hope. You’ll quickly realize that the more time and effort you put into searching for shark teeth, the greater success you’ll have.
Where Can I Find Shark Teeth?
Shark teeth can be found on coastal beaches, on the ocean floor, and even on land where the ocean once was. You have to realize that a single shark can go through over 50,000 teeth in their lifetime. When one of these teeth falls to the ocean floor and mixes with the sediments, fossilization takes place and preserves it for millions of years to come. Hopefully, that example puts into perspective just how many shark teeth there are and will always be in the world.
While shark teeth can be found on nearly every beach in the world, Venice, Florida is known as the shark tooth capital of the year. Each year, they hold an annual festival focused on the hobby of collecting and searching for shark teeth.
Finding Shark Teeth on The Beach
Hands down, beaches are the easiest place to look for shark teeth as it requires no gear, equipment or special skills to successfully find them here. You can simply walk down the beach while scanning the ground and come out with a handful of nice teeth if you’re lucky.
The best time to find shark teeth on the beach is when the tide is low with the ocean’s reach is slightly out. When this happens, there’s a layer of shells, shark teeth, seaweed and other debris lined down the coast. Most of this debris line will consist of broken shells but you can occasionally find a nice shark tooth hidden among the rubble if you look close enough. Just keep your eyes peeled for black, gray or white colored teeth mixed in the debris line.
If you haven’t searched for shark teeth before, you might be surprised at how many different sizes and shapes they come in. Most people automatically assume that shark teeth are the traditional V-shape, but the shape and size vary depending on the species of shark and where it was positioned in the jaw. Lemon sharks are one species that possess very narrow, pointy teeth. When searching for shark teeth on the beach, walk slowly and be on the lookout for anything that could resemble a typical shark tooth.
Finding Shark Teeth in The Ocean
It should go without saying that shark teeth can be readily found in the ocean as well. Finding them on the ocean floor may take a little more effort, but the payoff can be well worth it in the end. If a huge megalodon tooth were to wash up on a populated beach, how long do you think it would take for someone to come scoop it up? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say not long at all. On the contrary, if a strong current carried that same, $500+ megalodon tooth along the ocean floor, it would remain there until a diver notices it.
You really have two different options when it comes to searching for shark teeth in the ocean – you can either use a snorkel and free dive to the ocean floor or you can scuba dive. If you intend on scuba diving, you’ll have to take a mandatory training course to become certified. These are classes where experienced instructors will teach you how to work your gear and what to do in emergency situations. Scuba diving is a lot different than snorkeling as there are many dangerous new elements added.
Whether you want to scuba dive or use a snorkel, you have to get completely down to the ocean floor in order to find shark teeth. You may feel more inclined to stay 10 feet off the bottom but chances are you won’t be able to see a small tooth from here. Dive all the way down and slowly comb over the ocean floor, looking for anything that could resemble a shark tooth. If you see something, use your hands to gently brush the sand off and determine if it’s a tooth.
Some divers bring shovels for scooping up shells and teeth from the ocean floor. Once you have some experience under your belt, I highly recommend the use of these tools as they’ll make it easier and safer for you to collect teeth.