Description
Plate of Fossilised Sharks Teeth otodus, (Mackerel Shark) 14cm wide, composite
This fascinating plate of fossilised sharks teeth otodus obliquus (mackerel shark) is from the Moroccan Kem Kem beds. These fossilised teeth date back to the Eocene period approximatly 50 million years ago. They 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 5cm deep and 14cm wide composite plate of 6 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 and also had massive jaws. 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.
