2.9″ Great Shark Otodus Tooth Rare FOSSIL Eocene Morocco

2.9″ Huge Otodus Obliquus Tooth Rare Fossil Shark Eocene teeth

This Original fossil specimen is a sizable 2.9″ tooth from the extinct mackerel shark, Otodus obliquus, originating from the Eocene era around 54 million years ago. It was unearthed from the phosphate deposits of Khouribga, Morocco, where extensive mining operations frequently yield fossils. Despite the abundance of Otodus teeth in these mines, intact, large specimens like this one are rare due to the equipment used in mining, which often damages or fragments them. Additionally, Otodus belongs to the Lamniformes family, which includes renowned sharks like the Great White and the colossal Megalodon. Enthusiasts and collectors of shark teeth greatly value such finds, especially those from historically rich sites like Khouribga, for their rarity, beauty, and scientific significance.

Otodus obliquus, an extinct species of mackerel shark, lived approximately 60 to 45 million years ago during the Paleocene and Eocene epochs. Fossil remains found in marine deposits around the world provide evidence of its existence. Notably, Otodus obliquus was one of the largest sharks of its time, with estimated lengths reaching up to 30 feet (9 meters) or more.
In evolutionary terms, scientists consider this shark significant as it represents one of the earliest ancestors of the modern great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Fossil evidence suggests that Otodus obliquus possessed serrated teeth similar to those of modern great whites, indicating a likely similar predatory lifestyle, preying on marine mammals and other large fish. Consequently, the discovery of Otodus obliquus fossils has contributed significantly to our understanding of shark evolution and the ecological dynamics of ancient marine ecosystems during the Paleogene period.

Otodus obliquus and Megalodon

The connection between Otodus obliquus and Megalodon lies in their evolutionary relationship. Researchers consider Otodus obliquus an ancestor of Megalodon, with the prevailing belief that Megalodon evolved from a lineage of Otodus species. Fossil evidence suggests a transition from Otodus-like sharks to the larger, more massive Megalodon over millions of years.