SHARKS TEETH – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(reprint from Florida Trippers Article)
Are you looking to find shark teeth in Florida? You have come to the right place! While visiting these beautiful white sand beaches in Florida you can collect more than just a suntan.
How to find shark teeth? Keep your eyes peeled along the shorelines, right where the waves crash. You would think that shark teeth would be white, but actually, most of the shark teeth are dark small triangles. The colors range from grey, black, and brown, and some even have a tint of red! Most shark teeth in Florida are as small as a fingernail and come from ancient sharks.
If you can plan your hunting experience after a big storm, or at low tide, this is when fresh teeth wash ashore and are the easiest to collect. Some people go all out and bring sand-shifting equipment to make their hunting experience easier, but you can find shark teeth with the naked eye as well!
Facts About Sharks Teeth
There are so many interesting facts about shark teeth. The first is that sharks have multiple rows of teeth, anywhere from 5 to 15 rows depending on their age. And just like children’s teeth, sharks’ teeth are always falling out and being replaced with bigger teeth. When the tooth starts getting old or loose it will move forward in line and will eventually fall about and be replaced.
Over a shark’s lifetime, it will grow over thousands of teeth. The last study done suggests that the number falls somewhere around 30,0000 teeth! They also have different types of teeth depending on what they eat. Some have sharp pointy teeth to tear their food, while others have flatter-shaped teeth for crushing shellfish.
Where is the Best Beach to find Sharks Teeth in Florida?
The best place for finding shark teeth in Florida is Venice Beach. People have been finding washed-up shark teeth in the sand for years. The most exciting finds are the fossilized teeth from ancient species. Venice Beach is often referred to as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World”.
Do all Beaches in Florida have Sharks Teeth?
No, not all beaches in Florida have shark teeth. But, there are still plenty of places where you can enjoy hunting for sharks’ teeth in Florida. The possibility of finding teeth is higher at the Gulf Coast beaches, due to the higher popularity of sharks. But there are spots all over Florida. It mainly depends on the tide patterns and the beach’s location.
Is it legal to Collect Sharks Teeth in FL?
Yes! You are allowed to collect shark teeth in Florida. The only expectation of this rule is if you are visiting one of the state parks or protected areas. Then you should leave everything as you found it as some of the beaches in Florida have very gentle ecosystems. But other than that you are allowed to hunt, collect, and take your shark teeth home with you!
Best Places to Find Shark Teeth in Florida
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is first up for sharks teeth. There are actually 5 beaches in Venice, and there are shark teeth to be found everywhere. This is due to the location of the beautiful coral reef system off of Venice. The coral reef is about 35 feet deep and the tide brings the shark teeth right to shore.
Although most of the shark teeth are from exticnt species you can find a few from common sharks. Most of the common shark teeth found are lemon, bull, tiger, and great white sharks. They all look different and are mostly fossilized and could be up to a million years old. The best times to hunt for shark teeth at Venice Beach are after storms and at low tide.
If you are looking for the best places to find shark teeth in Florida, Venice should be your top property.
Caperson Beach
Caperson Beach is one of the Florida beaches with shark teeth near Venice. The shark teeth are very easy to see along the beautiful clear blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. The entire beachfront is about a mile and a half. This is a rural beach without any major hotels or homes.
If you are heading to the beach just to find shark teeth plan your trip around the tides. During low tide is the very best time to spot the small teeth in the sand. During high tide at Caperson Beach, the shore is swallowed up and the teeth will be much harder to find.
Parking is always free here, and there are several parking lots. Check for Sharky’s on the pier on the northern side to enjoy a fresh lunch with your newly found shark teeth!
Manasota Key
Another one of the best places in Florida to find sharks’ teeth is at the Pass Beach State Park in Manasota Key. This quiet West Coast beach is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of FL while simultaneously hunting for teeth. This beach is usually secluded and not touristy at all.
You won’t find much here so be sure to bring in and pack out everything you need for the day. You can also enjoy finding unique seashells and driftwood along the shoreline. Plan to spend the day at the in swimming, sunbathing, hunting shark teeth, and enjoying the Florida sunshine. There are also covered picnic areas to enjoy a barbecue or to get away from the sun.
Read the unedited article here https://floridatrippers.com/shark-teeth-in-florida/
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