Description
Plate of Fossilised Sharks Teeth otodus, (Mackerel Shark) 18cm wide, composite
This is a superb plate of fossilised sharks teeth otodus obliquus (mackerel shark) in a random pattern. These fossilised sharks teeth are excellent examples, and any minor restoration required has been done very professionally. The Mackerel Shark as with other species of shark had bodies composed of cartilage as opposed to bone. Because of this very few skeletal structures have been discovered, it is almost always only fossilised teeth that are found. This composite plate of 9 fossilised teeth would make an impressive display piece and look impressive in any fossil collection.
The Mackerel Shark existed approximately fifty to sixty million years ago during the Eocene period. The name ‘Mackerel Shark’ refers to the streamlined shape of these sharks, not their diet. The actual name ‘otodus’ derives from the Greek “ear shaped tooth. They lived in open water and fed on large bony mammals, large fish and almost certainly other sharks. The largest of these sharks grew up to 9 metres long. The Mackerel Shark was one of the principle and most ferocious predators of its time. Although smaller than the Megalodon Shark, the otodus was still much larger than todays Great White Shark. There is an ongoing debate as to whether these sharks evolved into the even larger Megalodon Sharks.
