Megalodon Shark Tooth - 6.02"

An impressive specimen of Otodus megalodon, this tooth embodies the characteristics of one of the largest apex predators in history. Displaying glassy beige enamel adorned with intricate gray patterns on both sides of the blade, its large black bourlette stands out sharply against the light-colored enamel and root, creating a striking visual contrast. Among the finest teeth ever encountered by Gallery Director Peter Lovisek, this specimen features a near-pristine tip and exceptionally sharp serrations, as well as a root that is the closest to perfect he has ever seen. Teeth of this size—6 inches along the edge—are incredibly rare in such well-conditioned form. Recovered from land in West Java, Indonesia, this tooth dates from the Late Oligocene to Early Pleistocene and serves as a reminder of a time when the megalodon reigned supreme as the dominant predator of the ancient oceans. TAXONOMY Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Lamniformes Family: Otodontidae Genus: Otodus Species: Otodus megalodon GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT Location: West Java, Indonesia Age: late Oligocene to the early Pleistocene (15.9-2.6 million years ago) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Dimensions: 6.02 inches (15.28 cm) along the longest slant x 5.89 inches (14.97 cm) along the second slant x 4.51 inches (11.47 cm) wide Weight: 368 grams Total Display Dimensions: 9.8 inches x 4.5 inches x 3.5 inches (25 cm x 11.4 cm x 8.8 cm) PROVENANCE Previously part of the renowned Blackwater Collection, representing the upper echelons of the market. Bespoke metal stand included