Product Description
ITEM #
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SH12-001
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ID
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Orthacanthus
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FOUND
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Wellington Formation -
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AGE
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PERMIAN: 260 million years ago
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SIZE
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.50" across
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CONDITION
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AS FOUND - NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION
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NOTE
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EXTREMELY RARE FOSSIL SHARK TOOTH!
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INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX - Actual Item - One Only
Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet |
In all our extensive experience with Permian shark fossils from both the U.S.A. and abroad in Europe, we have never encountered a pathological Orthacanthus shark tooth specimen like this. Offered here is a severely deformed tooth that never formed any cusps. A strange, deformed root is all that is present with no indication of any cusps ever having developed. The root is also grossly stunted with asymmetrical anatomy and nourishment openings. For the ultimate in Permian shark fossils, this is truly a prize and ULTRA-RARE collector specimen for the most advanced shark fossil collectors. Teeth of this primitive shark are rare with any deformities but this example is truly extreme. This deformed specimen is INTACT WITH NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION. It is 'as found' and has no breakage or modern damage. Root is complete and very dense. This is a remarkable example and certainly one that we will NEVER have like it again. Ex-old private collection.
From a period in time before the dinosaurs even walked the earth, the bizarre Orthacanthus thrived in prehistoric swamps and bayous in Europe and North America. The Orthacanthus was an ancient freshwater shark that is no longer in existence. It had a very long spine protruding from the back of the head followed by a long ribbon-like dorsal fin that gave it the appearance of an eel. The double forked teeth were another unique characteristic. A full grown Orthacanthus is believed to have grown to 10 feet in length and was an apex predator that terrorized all creatures that lived in its environment.