A "Quick & Dirty" Guide to

Recent Shark Teeth

Sixgill Shark Hexanchus griseus

  • lower anterior teeth comb-like, each with an elongated base and multiple cusps
  • bases of lower teeth thin and lacy
  • upper teeth spike- or hook-like
  • basses of upper teeth knob-like

Among the most fascinating of modern shark teeth; all hexanchiform sharks show pronounced sexual dimorphism in the anterior lower teeth, with mature males having an initial cusp much higher than subsequent ones.

Sandtiger Shark Carcharias taurus

  • long, slender, smooth-edged blade
  • small, secondary cusplet on either side of main blade
  • strongly bilobed root
  • large lingual protruberance (bulge) and nutrient groove at center of root

Specimens from southeastern Australia have consistently stouter dentition, leading to speculation that the Aussie Grey Nurse Shark is a distinct species or sub-species.

White Shark Carcharodon carcharias

  • broadly triangular, flattened, coarsely serrated blades
  • serrae are irregular in size and spacing, a feature which helps distinguish teeth of this species from triangular and serrated toothed whaler sharks, such as the Oceanic Whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus)
  • narrow scar separating blade from root
  • strongly bilobed root, especially in anterior lower teeth

The most famous of all shark teeth, those from a large White Shark can command significant prices — a fact which renders this relatively uncommon species a target for trophy hunters.

Shortfin Mako Isurus oxyrinchus

  • anterior upper teeth slender, knife-like and unsaerrated
  • anterior lower teeth slender, recurved, and unserrated
  • narrow scar separating blade from root
  • strongly bilobed root, especially in anterior lower teeth

Teeth of this species were once used as currency by New Zealand Moaris; the Shortfin Mao is considered the premiere gamefish among sharks.

Tiger Sharks Galeocerdo cuvier

  • deeply-notched, flattened blade with strong serrations at shoulders of blade, especially on inner margin
  • main cusp smoothly curved
  • blade height about equal to root breadth
  • teeth alike in both jaws

One of the most beautifully-shaped of shark teeth; combines powerful puncturing capability (afforded by the deep primary notch) and efficient ripping (afforded by the large serrae on inner shoulder) — "can opener" dentition is ideally suited to tearing through the tough carapace of sea turtles.

Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas

  • broad, flattened, serrated blade tapering to narrow apex
  • serrations decreasing in size toward tip of blade
  • squared-off root

The teeth of various species of whaler (grey) sharks can be very difficult to distinguish; it is probably best to regard all identifications as highly provisional.

Lemon Shark Negaprion brevirostris

  • narrow, flattened, unserrated blade
  • blade erect to slightly oblique
  • squared-off root

Fossil teeth of this species are remarkably similar to the teeth from modern specimens.

Great Hammerhead Shark Sphyna mokarran

  • oblique, flattened blade with broad serrated shoulders tapering to narrow apex
  • serrations consistent in size from shoulders to tip of blade
  • squared-off root

The teeth of various species of hammerheads can be very difficult to distinguish; it is probably best to regard all identifications as highly provisional.


Fossil Teeth

 
 

ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research
Text and illustrations © R. Aidan Martin
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