Reviews
2.75" Bizarre Shark (Edestus) Jaw Section with Tooth - Carboniferous
This is a very unusual and hard to acquire offering of a fossil tooth and jaw section from the Carboniferous-aged shark Edestus heinrichi. These rare teeth are recovered deep underground in the coal mines of Illinois. Most of these teeth are found broken or worn. Beautiful serration preservation on this tooth.
About Edestus
Edestus, often referred to as the "scissor-tooth shark," was a remarkable prehistoric predator that lived during the Late Carboniferous period, approximately 300 million years ago. This unique genus of shark-like cartilaginous fish is distinguished by its bizarre dental anatomy. Unlike modern sharks, which replace their teeth in a conveyor-belt fashion, Edestus had a single, continuous row of serrated teeth along the upper and lower jaws. These teeth grew in a straight line, giving Edestus a striking resemblance to a pair of giant pinking shears. Paleontologists believe this arrangement allowed Edestus to slash and slice through prey, possibly using its jaw movements to immobilize or dismember its victims in the ancient seas.
An artist's reconstruction of Edestus. By Dmitry Bogdanov
Despite its fearsome teeth, much about Edestus remains mysterious. Fossil evidence is limited, consisting primarily of its distinctive teeth and jaw structures, as the cartilaginous skeletons of these creatures rarely fossilized. Based on these fossils, Edestus likely grew to lengths of up to 20 feet, making it a formidable predator in its ecosystem. Its precise hunting strategies and diet are still debated, but Edestus likely preyed on fish and other marine animals. Its unusual dental structure sets it apart as one of the most fascinating examples of evolutionary experimentation in prehistoric marine life, offering a glimpse into the diversity of ancient ocean ecosystems.
Edestus, often referred to as the "scissor-tooth shark," was a remarkable prehistoric predator that lived during the Late Carboniferous period, approximately 300 million years ago. This unique genus of shark-like cartilaginous fish is distinguished by its bizarre dental anatomy. Unlike modern sharks, which replace their teeth in a conveyor-belt fashion, Edestus had a single, continuous row of serrated teeth along the upper and lower jaws. These teeth grew in a straight line, giving Edestus a striking resemblance to a pair of giant pinking shears. Paleontologists believe this arrangement allowed Edestus to slash and slice through prey, possibly using its jaw movements to immobilize or dismember its victims in the ancient seas.
An artist's reconstruction of Edestus. By Dmitry Bogdanov
Despite its fearsome teeth, much about Edestus remains mysterious. Fossil evidence is limited, consisting primarily of its distinctive teeth and jaw structures, as the cartilaginous skeletons of these creatures rarely fossilized. Based on these fossils, Edestus likely grew to lengths of up to 20 feet, making it a formidable predator in its ecosystem. Its precise hunting strategies and diet are still debated, but Edestus likely preyed on fish and other marine animals. Its unusual dental structure sets it apart as one of the most fascinating examples of evolutionary experimentation in prehistoric marine life, offering a glimpse into the diversity of ancient ocean ecosystems.
$295
SPECIES
Edestus heinrichi
LOCATION
Lively Grove, Illinois
FORMATION
Herrin Coal
SIZE
Jaw section: 2.75" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#312512
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