{"product_id":"pristine-otodus-auriculatus-tooth-2-50","title":"Pristine Otodus auriculatus Tooth 2.50\"","description":"\u003cp\u003ePristine Otodus auriculatus shark tooth with beautiful coloration and a pristine bourlette. found in Harleyville SC. \u003cspan\u003eIt also phosphoresces under UV light due to high concentrations of phosphatic minerals and trace elements, which absorb UV energy and re-release it as visible light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOtodus auriculatus Fossil Shark Teeth — The \"Eared\" Megatooth Shark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the most recognizable and sought-after fossil shark teeth in the collector community. An early megatooth shark within the Otodus lineage, it is distinguished by its distinctive ear-like lateral cusplets flanking the main blade. These ancient sharks lived during the Paleocene and Eocene epochs (~60–34 million years ago), when warm, shallow seas covered much of the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen Did Otodus auriculatus Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e first appears in the fossil record shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs and is especially common in Eocene-aged marine deposits. Widely distributed across ancient oceans, these sharks represent some of the earliest large predatory sharks to develop cutting dentition — making their fossil teeth a prized find for collectors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvolutionary Position in the Megatooth Lineage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e occupies a critical transitional position in the megatooth shark family tree, sitting between \u003cem\u003eOtodus obliquus\u003c\/em\u003e — which had smooth-edged teeth with cusplets — and later species such as \u003cem\u003eOtodus chubutensis\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOtodus megalodon\u003c\/em\u003e. Their teeth display the early development of serrations while still retaining large, prominent cusplets, making them a fascinating evolutionary link for fossil enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApex Predator of the Eocene\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eDuring the Eocene epoch, \u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e ruled warm, nutrient-rich seas as a top apex predator. Expansive shallow marine environments allowed these powerful sharks to thrive, occupying predatory roles comparable to those of the later and more famous \u003cem\u003eOtodus megalodon\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOtodus auriculatus Tooth Identification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e teeth are easily identified by their broad triangular crowns, coarse serrations, and well-developed lateral cusplets. The root is thick and robust, built to withstand powerful bites. This distinctive combination of serrations and cusplets is the defining characteristic of these transitional megatooth teeth — and a key identification feature for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet and Habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e likely preyed on large fish, other sharks, and early marine mammals, using its serrated teeth to efficiently slice through flesh. These sharks inhabited warm, shallow coastal seas and continental shelves, with fossils recovered from ancient marine deposits across the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Does Otodus auriculatus Compare to Megalodon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e shares key traits with \u003cem\u003eOtodus megalodon\u003c\/em\u003e, including serrated cutting teeth and apex predator status. The key difference lies in the prominent lateral cusplets retained by \u003cem\u003eO. auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e and its slightly less refined serrations — features that make these teeth uniquely beautiful and scientifically significant in the story of shark evolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere Are Otodus auriculatus Fossils Found?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e fossil teeth are recovered worldwide, including North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia — most commonly from phosphate-rich marine deposits renowned for exceptional shark tooth preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollecting Otodus auriculatus Fossil Teeth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtodus auriculatus\u003c\/em\u003e teeth are highly regarded for their outstanding preservation, frequently displaying deep dark mineralization, sharp serrations, and intact cusplets. Their striking appearance and scientific significance make them a standout addition to any fossil shark tooth collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Fossils Online","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47757797851276,"sku":"3982","price":375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0621\/3697\/5500\/files\/Untitled-163.jpg?v=1776959099","url":"https:\/\/fossilsonline.com\/products\/pristine-otodus-auriculatus-tooth-2-50","provider":"Fossils Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}