These teeth overlap in both broad form and edge treatment. Root proportions, jaw position, size, age and locality must carry more weight than silhouette alone.
Small tooth with a central cusp flanked by several smaller cusplets on a broad base.
Small central cusp bordered by two smaller cusplets on a compact broad base.
Several cusps / Flat / crushing
Several cusps
Smooth edge
Smooth edge
Several smaller cusps
One on each side
Wide / nearly flat root
Wide / nearly flat root
3–14 mm reference range
3–14 mm reference range
Similar small multi-cusped teeth occur in both jaws and form gripping-crushing rows.
Small central cusps and lateral cusplets repeat in both jaws.
Warm shallow reefs, ledges, seagrass and sandy bottoms.
Indo-Pacific coral reefs and sandy bottoms.
Crustaceans, mollusks, fishes and rays taken by suction.
Mollusks, crustaceans, small fishes and sea snakes.
Commonly 2.2–3 m (7–10 ft).
Usually 2–2.5 m (6.5–8 ft).
No reliable species-specific value is established; bite force changes with body size and bite point.
No reliable species-specific value is established; bite force changes with body size and bite point.
Fossil teeth are reported, but isolated teeth may only be identifiable to genus or family.
Carpet-shark teeth occur, but isolated species attribution is difficult.
Small teeth are easily damaged or mismeasured; a close macro photograph is especially important.
Carpet-shark teeth overlap strongly; associated jaws or provenance may be needed.
Illustrations are original TuffShark diagrams, not photographs taken from either reference.
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