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Venice, FL - A recreational scuba diver in Southwest Florida uncovered a rare six-inch fossilized megalodon tooth, a prehistoric relic dating back over 3 million years.
Kristina Scott, a recreational scuba diver, came across a six-inch-long fossilized tooth belonging to a megalodon, an enormous prehistoric shark that once ruled the world’s oceans.
The find occurred near Venice, a location well-known among fossil hunters for its abundance of ancient shark teeth.
The megalodon, which went extinct around 3.5 million years ago, is believed to have grown up to 60 feet in length and had hundreds of razor-sharp teeth.
Their teeth are among the only surviving parts of their bodies, as their cartilage skeletons did not fossilize over time.
These fossilized teeth have been discovered on every continent except Antarctica, but large specimens like the one Scott found remain exceptionally rare.
Venice’s coastal waters have long been considered a hotspot for ancient shark fossils due to favorable underwater conditions that preserve remains.
While finding small megalodon teeth is relatively common in the area, six-inch examples are highly sought after by collectors and paleontology enthusiasts.
Scientists say the closest modern-day relative of the megalodon is the shortfin mako shark, which can still be found swimming off Florida’s coast, though it pales in size and strength compared to its ancient ancestor.
Scott’s discovery adds to the region’s reputation for prehistoric treasures and highlights the lingering presence of the ocean’s long-extinct giants beneath the Gulf’s surface.
It’s unclear whether she plans to keep the tooth or turn it over to researchers or collectors.