5.3 cm tooth from Otodus obliquus with massive root

5.3 cm tooth from Otodus obliquus with massive root

The 5.3 cm tooth of Otodus obliquus has light grey enamel and the two typical lateral canines are well preserved. The tooth root is solid and slightly restored on one side, which is clearly visible in the pictures. As one of the first true ‘giant toothed sharks’, O. obliquus is considered an important apex predator that could reach a body length of up to 9 metres or more. The teeth are the most common fossil of this species: they grow up to 10 cm long, have a fairly straight, triangular shape with smooth cutting edges, a solid root and a lateral secondary tooth (‘small tooth’) on each side. As an effective hunter, O. obliquus probably fed on fish and other marine creatures, using its smooth teeth to pierce its prey.