Everything You Never Knew About Megalodon Teeth

Megalodon teeth are the largest of all shark species. With teeth that can measure up to the size of a human hand, it is easy to imagine just how enormous these ancient sharks were. However, there is more to know about megalodon teeth beyond their impressive size. Since the discovery of megalodon teeth in 19th-century Europe, scientists have uncovered many facts about these ancient creatures. Their teeth not only reveal information about the megalodons themselves but also about the environment in which they lived. As research continues, our understanding of megalodon teeth is constantly evolving.

Megalodon Teeth Are Stronger Than Bone

Megalodon’s skeletons were made of cartilage. While the cartilage was very strong, once the megalodon died, it broke down with the rest of the soft tissue. Consequently, what remains of megalodons today is sections of their vertebra that have calcified cartilage and their teeth.

The megalodon’s teeth were stronger than bone. The teeth were not made of cartilage like much of the rest of the megalodon. Instead, the teeth were made of fluoroapatite inside and out, which gave them their strength. In comparison, shark teeth today have an enamel surface that contains fluoroapatite and a dentin center. Scientists believe that evolution occurred in the teeth due to environmental changes that rendered fluoroapatite no longer a beneficial mineral for shark teeth.

It was due to the strength of the teeth and the incredibly hard, yet flexible, cartilage the jaw was made of that megalodons were believed to have a bite force estimated at 40,000 psi. To put that in perspective, the great white shark—which was once thought to be the megalodon’s closest relative before it was determined to be a separate species—has a bite force of 4,000 psi. Consequently, it is no wonder that the megalodon shark was one of the most feared apex predators in the ocean from 23 million to 2.6 million years ago.

Megalodons Shed Their Teeth At A Rapid Rate

Like sharks today, megalodons shed their teeth. This is why so many are found both washed up on shore and at the bottom of sea beds. However, the sheer number of teeth that megalodons shed during their lifetime exceeds that of sharks today.

When megalodons had a full mouth of teeth, there were a total of 276 teeth. But over the lifetime of the massive shark, they would lose 40,000 teeth. That is 10,000 teeth more than today’s sharks lose. Since megalodons are believed to have had a lifespan of 88 to 100 years, this means they would have grown a full set and a half of new teeth every year of their lives. Given how quickly their teeth fell out and how much water was filtered through their mouths, it is believed that megalodons did not suffer from cavities.

Megalodon Teeth Show Megalodons Bit One Another

While it appears to be a rare occurrence, megalodons bit one another. This was proven by megalodon teeth showing bite marks from other megalodons. Just why the sharks bit one another, though, is still a mystery.

There are two theories surrounding why megalodons bit one another. The first is that when there was a feeding frenzy, megalodons accidentally bit one another. This is common among other sharks today during feeding frenzies.

The second theory states that larger megalodons would hunt smaller ones. Given the discovery of megalodon nurseries, this could explain why juveniles lived in shallower ocean waters where larger megalodons could not go until they were ready to defend themselves in the open ocean.

Megalodon Teeth Have Been Found Worldwide

Megalodons were able to live all around the world. This has been proven given the regions where megalodon teeth have been located worldwide. In the United States alone, teeth have been found everywhere from Bakersfield, California, to various locations off the coast of Florida, as well as in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. On a more global scale, megalodon teeth have been found off the coasts of Morocco, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Australia, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Madagascar, and more.

Megalodon teeth have been found on every continent, except for Antarctica. No megalodon teeth have been found in the Arctic either. It is believed that the ocean water was far too cold for megalodons to live, a fact that may have eventually contributed to their extinction when the glaciers grew, causing both ocean temperatures to drop and the ocean to become shallower.

There Is Controversy Surrounding One Of The Largest Megalodon Teeth Found

Those who have been lucky enough to recover a megalodon tooth will generally encounter specimens that are between four to five inches in size. This is the most common megalodon tooth to be found both in the oceans and washed up on shore. However, a massive megalodon tooth was discovered in Peru that measured 7.48 inches in length. Craig Sundell, a researcher for the University of Kansas during the 1990s, verified the tooth. This tooth size falls within the 1% of extraordinarily sized megalodon teeth discovered. While the largest megalodon tooth to date has been verified, there is some uncertainty regarding a tooth that could potentially be the second-largest ever found.

A tooth, also located in Peru, was reportedly measured to be 7.25 inches long. The tooth, discovered by Pete Larson of the Black Hills Institute, has sparked controversy. This is because the tooth was broken when found and was later restored. However, during restoration, the root was given an elongated appearance not seen in other megalodon teeth. Therefore, it is believed that when the repairs were done, the tooth was artificially elongated to attempt to make it one of the largest megalodon teeth discovered.

Price for Megalodon Teeth Can Climb to Over $10,000

Given that megalodons lived so long ago, the price of their teeth can be significant. However, the price fetched for one of these specimens all depends on the shape the tooth is in. The majority of megalodon teeth are four to five inches long. These are typically the least expensive. This price range is influenced by a variety of factors. Those factors include:

• Size
• Condition
• Quality
• Location of discovery
• Ability to authenticate the tooth

These factors become even more critical as the size of the megalodon tooth increases, given how rare six- and seven-inch teeth are. In general, megalodon teeth will range in price from $50.00 to over $10,000. However, they can be significantly more valuable, as seen by a 2017 sale of a tooth that was slightly over seven inches long, which sold for $100,000.

There is a huge fascination with megalodon teeth, not only because they provide insight into the shark, but also because they offer a tangible piece of ancient history. Therefore, it is easy to see why the market for megalodon teeth is so lucrative. However, as with all artifacts, it is recommended that those interested in purchasing a tooth consult a reputable dealer to ensure they receive what is being advertised.