Mosasauridae
Mosasaurus spp.
Mosasaur
Cretaceoustrophy
Not a shark — a 40+ foot marine lizard that ruled the Late Cretaceous seas. Its teeth are conical, faceted, and unmistakable once you've held one. A complete mosasaur tooth from a NJ creek is a find of a lifetime.
Typical size
0.75–2″
Trophy size
2.5″+
Age range
99–66 Ma
Body length
40–50 ft
How to ID it in the field
- ▸Conical, NOT flat — has multiple subtle facets running tip to base (like a faceted gem)
- ▸Bulbous, swollen root — much chunkier than any shark root
- ▸No serrations of any kind
- ▸Often broken at the root; even a tip with facets is diagnostic
- ▸Color is the same glossy black as the sharks but the cross-section is round, not flat
Quick reference
Shape
broad triangle
Serrations
none
Cusplets
none
Root
thick bulbous
Color
Black to dark brown enamel; bulbous cream root
Sample reference images
Use these visual references to compare angle, wear, and silhouette before making a final ID.
