1.53" Fossil Mako Shark Tooth - North Carolina

 

About Fossil Broad-Toothed Mako Shark Teeth

Fossil teeth of the so-called “broad-toothed mako” represent one of the most iconic and debated shark fossils in the collector world. Traditionally classified as Isurus hastalis, these sleek, triangular teeth were long attributed to a large mako shark that lived from the Eocene through the Pleistocene and left a global fossil record. Later research reinterpreted the species as Cosmopolitodus hastalis, an extinct mackerel shark, before more recent studies placed it within the white shark lineage, renaming it Carcharodon hastalis. This shifting taxonomy means you’ll see a variety of labels in the marketplace, but we follow the most current interpretation and list them as Carcharodon hastalis. You can read more about the classification here.

These teeth are known for their elegant, blade-like shape, smooth cutting edges, and broad triangular crowns—features that suggest a powerful predator that occupied a role similar to today’s great white. While specimens can reach an impressive 3½ inches, teeth over 2½ inches are uncommon, and those exceeding 3 inches are genuinely rare. Found in marine deposits worldwide, Carcharodon hastalis teeth offer collectors a remarkable blend of beauty, scientific intrigue, and evolutionary significance within the storied lineage of white sharks.