Fossil "Mako" Shark Teeth In Rock - Bakersfield, California

This phenomenal specimen is an association of three shark teeth from two separate species: Carcharodon (Isurus) planus and Carcharodon (Isurus) hastalis. The specimen was collected from the Middle Miocene, Temblor Formation in Kern County, California; an area notable for its abundance of C. planus teeth and the occasional Megalodon tooth. There are two C. planus teeth present that measure 1.6" and 1.5", and a single C. hastalis tooth that measures 1.6".

The exact classification of these teeth has been hotly debated for several decades. Historically, these teeth have been classified as a mako shark (Isurus planus or Cosmopolitodus planus) but more recent research has suggested they fall into the white shark lineage (Carcharodon planus), You can read more about this here.