How to Find Sharks' Teeth
92find black gold on the beach
Sharks' teeth are like black gold, historically speaking. They're amazing examples of ancient fossils, and some can be very valuable. Best of all, they can be found right on the sand, for free. All it takes is a sharp eye, a little effort, and some luck. I've always enjoyed shelling and saltwater fishing, and I went through a period when I was an avid searcher of sharks' teeth, or shark teeth, as some people call them. Most of my searches have been on Georgia's barrier islands and the islands and beaches of Northeast Florida, but I'm sure you can find shark teeth just about anywhere that's adjacent to salt water.
As an avid beach-goer, I enjoy shelling. My favorite thing to find is shark teeth. Actually, of course, these aren’t shells, at all, but since they’re found on the beach as gifts from the sea, they’re usually loosely considered seashells. The teeth can be used to make jewelry, and sometimes groups of them are mounted and framed. They make great conversation pieces. Many beach towns have souvenir stores and gift shops that sell sharks’ teeth and sharks’ teeth jewelry, and if you’ve priced these, you know that they’re usually pretty expensive, especially for the larger specimens. Why not try to find your own on your next trip to the seashore? If you enjoy saltwater fishing from shore, looking for shark teeth is a great way to pass the time while you're waiting for a bite. Just stick your rod in the holder or sand spike and start searching!
About the shark’s teeth
Almost all the sharks’ teeth you find are not actually the teeth themselves but fossils of the teeth. Sharks are constantly losing teeth, and as they do so, a new one moves up to take its place. When the lost teeth sink to the bottom of the ocean and becomes buried in sediment, it begins to fossilize. The minerals in the sediment gradually replace the original tooth material. This process takes thousands of years to complete.
Fossilized shark teeth are different colors, depending on the sediment in which they were buried. Most are black and dark grey, while some are brown or tan. Fossilized sharks’ teeth of unusual colors are rare and are more valuable.
Fossilized sharks’ teeth you find on the beach or in the water are probably millions of years old. In fact, the shark species the teeth belonged to might very well have been extinct for millennia.
Sharks’ teeth found in Georgia and Florida range in size from less than a half inch to over six inches. These large teeth are from megalodon sharks and are extremely rare.
How to find sharks’ teeth
There are no set rules for finding fossilized shark teeth. If you ask five or six “experts,” chances are that you’ll get five or six different answers. I can only tell you what works for me.
Go to the beach at low tide, and look for tide lines – the lines of debris along the beach. Walk the tide lines and look for black triangles. These are the sharks’ teeth. While not all fossilzed teeth are exactly triangular in shape, most are. Others, like those of the sand tiger shark and the short-finned mako, are more stiletto-like in shape. Lemon shark teeth are shaped like the bone of a T-bone steak. If there are a lot of shells, scoop up a handful or bucketful and sift through them for teeth. You might want to collect a pail of shells and sit in your lounge chair while you search through them.
Another good place to look for sharks’ teeth is at the water’s edge. If you have a lot of competition on the beach, this might be your best chance of finding teeth because you’ll see them before any other collectors have a chance.
If any sandbars are visible at low tide, wade out to them. This is often a great place to find the teeth. As you’re walking through the water, feel the bottom with your toes. Sharks teeth and interesting seashells are sometimes trapped between sandbars or between the sandbar and the shoreline.
If you’re at a beach that has clear, calm surf, try snorkeling to search for shark teeth. I like to float in shallow water and lightly run my fingers through the sandy bottom. I’ve found some beautiful shells this way, along with numerous sharks’ teeth. I need to warn you, though, if you see a flat fish-shape buried under the sand, it’s probably either a flounder or a sting ray. Flounder don’t sting; stingrays do. If you gently disturb the sand behind the ray, he’ll go along his merry way, but try not to surprise him. Stingray barbs are nasty – I know from personal experience. I tell that story in my “Killer Manatee” article.
Many people find that shark teeth are more abundant on the new moon and the full moon because the pull of the tide is stronger. I don’t know if this is true, but I do know that after a storm or high winds, there will be more teeth and more shells in general on the beach.
Also, if you can find an area where dredged sand has been added to a beach or near a beach, this is a great place to look for sharks’ teeth.
If you find some treasures and are interested in their age or from what shark species they came, a quick online search will give you some answers. Also, a local shop will probably be able to help you.
Shelling and searching for sharks’ teeth is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Kids love it, too, and it can be a real learning experience for them. Even if you don’t find any shark teeth, you’ll have enjoyed the beach and gotten some exercise!
Sharks' teeth for sale:
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10 Shark Tooth Sharks Teeth with Pure White Bone Beads Necklaces Wholesale
Current Bid: $9.00
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200+ FOSSIL SHARKS TEETH / TOOTH_FOR CRAFTS, PARTY FAVORS, CARNIVAL FOSSIL DIGS
Current Bid: $18.99
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CUVIER SHARKS TEETH MANEATER 1 1/16" TIGER SHARK TOOTH GREAT FOR JEWELRY
Current Bid: $7.99
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10 Shark Tooth Sharks Teeth with Painted White Bone Necklaces Wholesale
Current Bid: $8.50
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Great hub habe,
Thats how I like my shark's teeth, floating around without a shark attached!
Wht willl you get up to next? I wish I were a shark and my teeth regrow. Thanks for your hub; enjoyed reading it.
I loved your hub. I only wish I lived closer to the ocean. I love looking for things like this. I go arrowhead hunting a lot.
Searching for shark's teeth is really fun. I haven't done it since I was a little kid. I think the next time I take my girls to the beach, we'll do just that.
Habee, one of the most fun times I had was when I was in the USVI after Hurricane Hugo. All kinds of seashells were found and because of they hurricane, some weren't even indigenous to that area! Didn't find any shark's teeth, but I found some wild colored seashells which I put together with some pieces of fan coral and driftwood to make some serious gifts and such. If I ever get near an ocean again, I'll take your advice. Now? I stare out the window ar 3' of snow. Maybe I should hunt for Abominable Snowman Teeth!! Frosty with Attitude!
I use to find shark teeth in South Mississippi about two hours north of the coast. I had about a hundred until I lost them in a house fire.
My son is an avid collector of shark teeth. He had probably hundreds! We live on the coast and he visits areas that have been recently dredged. He likes to take his stepson and go for the afternoon. I think it is one of the great things that boys and their fathers should do. Kind of like fishing.
I'm gonna try this on my next trip to Hilton Head..
Hi Habee, I would love to find a shark's tooth. Thank you very much for this hub. I think I actually saw some, but didn't know what they were. From now on I will be ready!
I never thought to look for them when I lived in California - sure makes me miss the beaches, too! Very interesting hub and I love collecting shells so next time I'm on the coast, I'll have to look more closely for teeth. Interesting that they are mostly fossils.
That would be a cool thing to find. Nice!
Fascinating. I don't think I will find any though on the yorkshire beaches?
I've never thought to look for shark teeth at the beach. I even skip the shells, and can usually be found searching for sea glass. I will keep them in mind next time I am fortunate enough to be strolling along the coastline.
Thank you,
kaie
I'm with you, Ann! I'd rather sink my teeth into the shark - once it's filleted, battered, and fried!
Funny, Bpop. I've seen way too many sharks swimming around!
HH, I told you I'm full of useless info! lol
Nancy, I enjoy looking for spear points, too!
Your girls will love that, Veronica!
UG, bet ol' abominable has some ferocious teeth!
Oh, Figment, I'm sorry you lost all your treasures!
Yes, Vanne! Also great for girls and their mothers, girls and their fathers, boys and their mothers, sisters, brothers, grandmas, grandpas, girlfriends...you get the picture! lol
Good move, Chris. Hope you find some!!
Jen, now you'll know what to look for! Good luck!
Audrey, I like the idea of finding something that's millions of years old!
Hi, Sandy! Really cool!
Eth, I'm sure there are sharks' teeth just about everywhere! Many are found far from the coast.
Kaie, I love sea glass, but I've never found much of it around here. Thanks for visiting!
Interesting Hub! I am going to try this the next time I go to a beach. My wife claims she has found them many times but I haven't ever really looked for them until now...
Marvelous Hub!!!!!!
Marine life has always captivated me at its total peak. The hub is simply effortlessly classic. The clarity and balance shine from this hub. This hub can be regarded as one of the most intriguing hub. The photograph of Shark teeth is sparklingly beautiful. Thanks for providing so informative hub.
it is interesting to know how it fossilize, whew, you have a nice hobby, I like collecting shells as well, but havent seen one of this yet, Maita
Michael, if you have kids, this will keep them busy for hours! It's fun for adults, too, however.
Thanks, Ateenyi, for the kind words!
Maita, since you collect shells, you'll probably run across some shark teeth sooner or later. Good luck!
Lovely hub... I'm down in Mexico as I write this and went shelling early today. I like to pick up 'buttons' along the shore.
For those that aren't familiar with what this is, it's bits of seashell that have been worn down into smooth, shiny, and nearly flat pieces. This is what button factories actually use to make 'mother of pearl' buttons out of as well as many other crafts.
Sea glass is my other favorite if it's found on the beach and not 'created' through sandblasting and sold at the store.
This morning I found a beautifully colored bowl-shaped shell that I intend to put in my bathroom near the sink and use it as a ring holder!
Watch or look for my Hub on Mexico... I intend to share some money making opportunities that can nearly pay for your whole trip, as well as great insight into many great spots along the beach of Mazatlan!!
Kaloomba, sea glass is lovely, but I've never found much of it. I'll watch for your hub!
Hi, I'm in Australia and haven't seen sharks teeth along the shoreline before but certainly always the empty shark eggs show up, which are quite fascinating. On the subject of shark teeth too, a man was bitten by a shark here this week, only got lose from it as he was able to hold strongly to a nearby rock - but was taken to hospital with several sharks teeth still imbedded in his leg! Now that's got to hurt!
i love taking the kids to the beach looking for treasure..they love it..so do i
great hub,great information,next time I will look for shark teeth too.
This is something I never thought of when at the beach. I usually go to a beach about 6 times over the summer. This summer I am going to definitely look for shark teeth, how cool it would be to bring some home.
Ewww, Strictly, that made me hurt just to read! Thanks for visiting!
Good, Christine! Thanks for reading!
Hi, Tony! It's fascinating to hold something that old in the palm of your hand. Thanks for visiting!
I don't think I will ever do it, sounds like fun. I know some of them are quite expensive. I have a nice samll collection of arrow heads.
STOP KILLING SHARKS !!!!!
dont buy these things to do not support that they kills sharks to be able to sell the shark’s teeth!
watch the movie sharkwater !!
Hi, Charlie! I collect spear points, also.
1berry, we don't kill sharks to get the teeth. These teeth are fossilized - from sharks that have been dead for millions of years. You find them on the beach.
Good hub, thanks!
i hope to never find teeth with a shark attached :-D
I'm with you, DT!
Very cool, as you can see I love the beach...what an awesome day it would be to find some shark teeth! :) Thanks for the tips!
Good luck in your quest, Shareitt!
Topsail Beach, NC! My favorite place to hunt. Thanks for a fun and interesting hub.
Cool, lalesu!
Nice article on finding shark teeth. I found some in a collection my uncle gave me but never thought to look for them on the beach. This summer I plan to shark teeth hunt on the beach like you explained how to. Cool article. Thanks for the tips for shark teeth hunting.
Thanks, Konrel! I guess you can find them on most beaches.
I'm always walking the beach, next time I'll be looking down more. Thanks
Good, Dobo! Hope you find some sharks' teeth!
Oooooh I want some. How beautiful!!!
Herbi, look for some shark teeth next time you go to the beach!
Cool Hub, thanks
Cool, Cool, Cool! What an extraordinary hub!
Thanks for sharing all of you knowledge and expertise,
Nick
Thanks, Warrior!
Thanks for the kind comment, Nick!
We used to live in NC and look for them all the time. There is a place you can go to at the beginning of the Outer Banks where there is a museum and mounds of earth from a nearby phosporous mine that you can sift through and look for shark's teeth. Thanks for bringing back the memory.
Thanks for reading, Leslie!
Ahah, finally I got something to do when I go to the beach. Thanks x)
Great, Plapa! Good luck!
sup
Great hub habee! I think any kind of beach combing has got to be fun! A bad day at the beach.....there's no such thing!
Kids would love these treks for sharks teeth - thanks Habee
Hi, Bob!
You're soooo right, Nifty! I love the ocean, the gulf, tidal creeks, and marshes!
Billy, this is a great way to entertain the kids for a couple of hours!
This hub really brought back memories of my childhood days in Myrtle Beach, SC. We used to collect shark teeth by the dozens as they washed up on the shore. It never got old! Shark tooth necklaces were popular back then and we would make candy money selling them to the guys that made the necklaces. Thanks for the memories!
Not this is some unique Hub!
I don't think I have ever seen one, I wonder if those can be found in the Mediterranean too?
Wow very interesting, I remember finding pieces of teeth in the sand at the beach but I just didn't know what it was. Gosh, only if I knew, I would of saved them.
I always go to the beach, but I can never find any sharks' teeth. :(
I love looking for sharks teeth after I go surfing. Usually the beach my wife and I go to has a lot of smaller sharks teeth at low tide. We usually come out with about 5 sharks teeth per trip. This is in North Florida near Jacksonville
Richard, that's a great memory! Thanks for reading!
Locker, I'm not sure. One of our hubbers said the Mediterranean doesn't have many sharks.
Maybe you'll find some more, Wade!
Bat, keep looking for shark teeth. You'll find some!
Cool, Surfer! The Jax area usually has a fair amount of sharks' teeth!
Love the article! I used to do this as a kid at Myrtle beach in South Carolina.
Wow, cool article! Have you found a lot of them? I've picked up some pretty interesting shells for my collection but never anything quite that unique! I'll have to keep my eyes open next time I'm at the beach.
I live on the Coast and have never found any, but im might start looking for some.
Nice hub habe. =) I wold definitely try to find one with my baby on the beach. This should be fun. =) I will comment on your hub again if I found one. =)
Jay, thanks for reading!
Lender, I've found lots of them!
Rt, maybe they're not on all beaches??
Good, Jeanie - let me know!
Thats so cool. I'm gonna try that next time I go to the beach! Great Hub! :)
Neat Hub and photo of the teeth. Hate to have those too close to home :(
amazing Hub Habee, I'll try and look for some shark teeth next time I go to the beach. :)
This is a very interesting hub. I really enjoyed reading it.
Great hub, Habee! I love shelling, beach strolling, etc. While in Florida a few months ago I kept my eyes peeled for shark's teeth, but did not find any - darn. Hopefully next time.
great hub
hey, really cool hub! I've never hunted sharks teeth hehe.
Very nice article! I am an ocean lover but sharks still scare be.
Love the photo! My kids would love to find sharks' teeth! I wonder if we would find some along the Oregon Coast?
I really enjoyed reading it
Beth, hope you find some!
Yes, Gift, but these sharks have been dead for a LONG time!
Happy hunting, Milko!
Thanks a bunch, Shawn!
Lew, sometimes you have to sift for them.
Thanks, Kelly!
Lannie, thanks for reading!
Bd, sharks scare me, but not sharks' teeth. lol
Steph, I dunno. All the ones I've found were in GA and FL. Ask AKirchner!
Thanks for reading, Air!
This is an interesting article
Thanks, Ek!
Hunting for shark teeth sounds like fun. They are hard to find in Wisconsin though. I might need a little vacation to start my collection.
Yep, Keith, I'd think they're pretty rare in WI! Come to the GA or FL coast to find some sharks' teeth.
Habee - a useful Hub. The problem, of course, is how to keep kids busy and hunting for shark's teeth strikes me as 'exciting' and something a bit different. Useful!
True, Nicks! Thanks for reading!
Oooooh!now I'm itching to get out there on the beach and find my very own shark teeth!
Best of luck in your search for sharks' teeth, Alya!
Very cool habee - this sounds like great fun!
asdf
Thanks, Jane! It really is fun...and relaxing!
WE LIKE TO GO SHARK TOOTH HUNTING AT "MANASOTA BEACH" ON MANASOTA KEY FLORIDA "not in the keys. THE REALLY NEAT PART IS NORTH OF THE PUBLIC BEACH ARE ALL PRIVATE HOMES WITH NO PUBLIC BEACH ACCESSES. THIS MEANS MOSTLY PRIVATE HOME OWNERS SCOWER THE BEACHES FOR SHARKS TEETH. MANASOTA HOTEL "A DIVE " IS JUST OVER THE CAUSWAY. NO POOL BUT CHEAP WITH A FULL KITCHEN. HAPPY HUNTING.
hi, Todd. Thanks!
Very cool sounds like fun! Never thought of looking for sharks teeth but I do a lot of diving and after reading this post next time I am out I am looking :) Thanks for the great hub.
pretty cool article here, trying to find where to buy some, don't have time to comb the beaches! Thanks.
Cartloop, thanks for visiting!
Stumbler, have you tried Ebay?
enjoyed reading this hub. nice share.
Thanks for reading!
Habee - what a fantastic idea! A few years ago I did some camping on the coast of the UK known as the Jurassic coast to find fossils (we found some really small ones to bring home and huge boulders full of fossils) but I did not think to look for shark teeth. Next time I am visiting the beach I know what I will be looking for (in addition to fossils of course).
Kirsten, finding those kinds of fossils would be way cool! The only ones I've found are the sharks' teeth.
I can find sharks teeth by using Google searching for it
haha!!!
Ha! Funny, Glem!
Habee, that is a nice picture of shark teeth. I hope to go out this summer to the beach and try your tip to finding shark teeth. I just dont want to find any gripping my leg. :)
Yeah, that would be a lot more shark teeth than you'd want at one time! lol
This is fun.Cool! Collecting shark's teeth. lol
Again, another nice hub from you habee! It had fascinating topic.
looking for teeth on the Connecticut beaches would be a waste of time ,... no sharks swim over here !!!
I have lots of small sharks teeth from a beach near Sarasota wish I knew where it was my parents took me. I am going to Florida this week.
i think im rich
I love the beach, but right now I am stuck in Michigan. So far I haven't found any sharks teeth around here. But after I retire I plan to live closer to the ocean.
i was working at a job site in simpsonvile ga where some dirt was brought in but anyways i found alot of shark teeth and have been hooked on wanting to find more we arent aloud back to the job site so im going crazy on where to go now im in waynesboro ga and if you know where i can go around here or within 50 moile i would love the info so i can take my son on a hunt please help im hooked
tinyurl.com/dyzltew
Ann Nonymous 2 years ago
This is a really interesting hub habee..but just so long as I don't find the teeth penetrating in my skin!