Searching for Shark Teeth on the Gulf Coast, Florida

Like beach combing? You’ll love searching for shark teeth. Did you know sharks frequently loose their teeth and can have over 10,000 in a lifetime? That means, happy hunting! Millions of years ago Florida was underwater, as the levels receded, fossils were left behind. Venice, Florida is touted as a mecca for finding fossilized shark teeth. So, how to find them? Your best bet is to look along the shoreline where the water is ebbing. You can cup your hands and filter out shells or use a strainer.

When it rains it pours. After you find one sticking out of the sand and realize what they look like on the shore, you’ll likely see lots more. I found dozens of small fossils, but people have come off the beach with enormous megaladon specimens! We checked out the popular Caspersen Beach [4100 Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34285] and found a few, but in the late afternoon pickings were slim.

Parking is free and the water is lovely.

Be sure to go early in the morning for your best chance. Less widely known by tourists, but very popular with locals is Blind Pass Beach [7770 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223]. The beach is free get there early for a parking spot because the lot fills up, you may even find yourself in competition with a gopher tortoise for a space!

I was lucky enough to be introduced to this place by my family who has been searching the shores here for years. We found dozens of tiny teeth along the shore, and you can walk down for quite some time doing so. Not only is this place supreme for finding fossils, it’s also very lovely for swimming and spending the day.

Sharks have been on the planet for 400 million years, that’s a whole lot of teeth to find. Get out there!

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