Odontaspididae
Carcharias taurus
Sand tiger
EoceneOligoceneMiocenePliocenePleistoceneRecentcommon
The most common 'pretty' tooth — a slender awl-shaped spike with two needle-like cusplets, one on each shoulder. Hasn't changed much in 50 million years.
Typical size
0.5–1.75″
Trophy size
2″+
Age range
0.012–33.9 Ma
Body length
—
How to ID it in the field
- ▸Tall, narrow, smooth piercing blade with a slight S-curve
- ▸Two small but sharply pointed cusplets at the base of the blade
- ▸Smooth — no serrations anywhere
- ▸Long, narrow root with a deep nutrient groove on the lingual side
Quick reference
Shape
small needle
Serrations
none
Cusplets
prominent pair
Root
narrow bilobed
Color
Caramel, honey, black
Sample reference images
Use these visual references to compare angle, wear, and silhouette before making a final ID.
📷 McCoy, Frederick · Public domain · Commons