Cretoxyrhinidae
Cretoxyrhina mantelli
Ginsu shark
Cretaceousrare
The 'Ginsu shark' — a 20+ foot apex predator of the Western Interior Seaway. Smooth, broad triangular teeth that look like an unsherrated meg in miniature. Famously preserved as articulated skeletons in the Niobrara Chalk of Kansas.
Typical size
0.75–2.25″
Trophy size
2.75″+
Age range
99–66 Ma
Body length
20–24 ft
How to ID it in the field
- ▸Broad, smooth triangular blade — no serrations
- ▸Thick at the base, often with a pronounced lingual bulge
- ▸Wide bilobed root with a strong central notch
- ▸Unserrated edges separate it instantly from any meg-line tooth
Quick reference
Shape
broad triangle
Serrations
none
Cusplets
none
Root
broad bilobed
Color
Glossy black; pale cream root
Sample reference images
Use these visual references to compare angle, wear, and silhouette before making a final ID.
