Otodus Fossil Tooth - First Megatooth Shark

Above: Front of the Specimen Card During the Paleocene Epoch, the Megatoothed sharks emerged as apex predators, dominating the seas for nearly 60,000,000 years. Otodus obliquus was the first of these giant ocean predators, with vertebrae over 5 inches in diameter, and an estimated body length between 30 to 40 feet, the creature was nearly as long as a bus. Above: Detail shot of Medium Otodus specimens. Otodus’ long, smooth teeth were ideal for puncturing fish. In addition, the main tooth was flanked by two smaller structures called cusplets. These miniature teeth helped the shark latch onto its prey and hold its meal in place. Above: The backside of a Megalodon tooth contrasted with the Medium Otodus. Evolution in action! As you can see above, Otodus' descendants, the Megalodons, lost these cusplets and developed serrated teeth, a later evolutionary adaptation suited for tearing flesh from cetacean prey. Above: A Large Otodus specimen in hand. This specimen is an Otodus obliquus to