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How to Look for Megalodon Teeth in Bone Valley, Florida

You can have great fun hunting for shark teeth. One of the most interesting sets of shark teeth to look for is that of the Megalodon, a gigantic shark that lived in prehistoric times. One of the best places to find fossilized teeth is in Bone Valley, Florida. Bone Valley exists on top of the Hawthorn Formation, a layer of clay that was likely deposited at a time when a large part of Florida was submerged.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Strainer
  • Brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a Florida Fossil Permit by filling out an application and mailing it to the University of Florida in Gainesville care of the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology. The application fee is $5, payable by check or money order. The University asks that you do not send cash.

    • 2

      Secure a map of Bone Valley that shows the former phosphate mines now open to fossil hunters. These can be obtained online and at almost any local shop in the Bone Valley region.

    • 3

      Select a mine and register for a fossil hunting trip. This is easiest to do through local organizations that specialize in organizing these trips, such as the SW Florida Fossil Hunting Club. Usually, these trips will be with as many as 30 other participants.

    • 4

      Use your shovel to dig in the area prescribed by your trip leader. Make sure to follow all additional instructions. Typically, the regulations only allow you to dig to specific depths at specific times of year. Check with your trip leader to be sure.

    • 5

      Sift through what you dig with your strainer. Inspect those pieces that do not fall through the strainer. Megalodon teeth are large, so you're looking for a tooth-shaped rock about the size of your palm.

    • 6

      Brush the dirt and rock particles away from any potential finds. Megalodon teeth generally have a darker hue than the surrounding rock.

    • 7

      Report any fossils you find to your trip leader. Your trip leader may need you to fill out official paperwork to help the University of Florida identify particularly well-stocked fossil dig sites.


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