{"product_id":"lg-bakersfield-c-planus-1-43","title":"Rare Cusped Bakersfield C. planus 1.43\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eVery rare Carcharodon planus (Mako) tooth with cusps. It has a coloration typical of fossils found in that area, with a solid, dense root. Found in Bakersfield, California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNo repair or restoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is an extinct species of mackerel shark that lived during the Paleogene, primarily in the Eocene to Oligocene (roughly 40–25 million years ago). It represents an earlier stage in the evolution of large lamniform sharks, before the fully developed cutting adaptations seen in later species like the great white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet and habitat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/em\u003e lived in warm, shallow marine environments that covered large parts of ancient coastlines. Its diet likely included fish and smaller marine animals, relying on speed and precision rather than brute force. The tooth structure suggests a feeding style focused on gripping and slicing softer prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTooth morphology compared to other sharks\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/em\u003e teeth are very distinctive once you know what to look for. They are completely smooth-edged, with no serrations at all, and are typically \u003cstrong\u003easymmetrical and curved rather than straight and balanced\u003c\/strong\u003e. The crowns often lean to one side, giving them a slightly hooked or swept-back appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are also \u003cstrong\u003enoticeably thicker than teeth of \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCarcharodon hastalis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a more solid, heavy build despite often being smaller overall. This gives them a sturdy feel in hand compared to the flatter, more blade-like look of \u003cem\u003ehastalis\u003c\/em\u003eteeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared to other sharks:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCarcharodon hastalis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e has broader, more symmetrical, and flatter teeth with clean, straight profiles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCarcharodon carcharias\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e has wide, triangular teeth with strong serrations for tearing flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eOtodus megalodon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e has massive, thick, serrated teeth built for cutting and crushing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/em\u003e stands out for its \u003cstrong\u003ecurved, asymmetrical shape, lack of serrations, and thicker cross-section\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it easy to distinguish once familiar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEvolutionary importance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/em\u003e represents an earlier phase in the development of large predatory sharks. It shows a stage where teeth were becoming more robust, but had not yet developed serrations or the fully optimized cutting edges seen in later species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis places it as part of the broader evolutionary pathway that eventually led to more specialized predators like the modern \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCarcharodon carcharias\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eColor and preservation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeeth of \u003cem\u003eCarcharodon planus\u003c\/em\u003e vary depending on the fossil site, with colors ranging from light gray and tan to darker brown or black. Because of their thicker structure, they often preserve well, with smooth edges and solid crowns that hold their shape even after millions of years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fossils Online","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56340705509516,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0621\/3697\/5500\/files\/Untitled-5_ffb2a1d7-908b-4555-88b2-b01e9ca8c8dc.jpg?v=1788550903","url":"https:\/\/fossilsonline.com\/products\/lg-bakersfield-c-planus-1-43","provider":"Fossils Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}