Large smooth triangular main crown with a prominent cusplet on each side and a heavy root.
Later transitional otodontids may develop serrations or reduce cusplets, making lineage-level ID safer.
01
IDENTIFICATION TRAITS
What to inspect.
- Crown shape
- Broad triangle
- Cutting edge
- Smooth edge
- Side cusplets
- One on each side
- Root
- Deep V-shaped root or Wide / nearly flat root
- Reference height
- roughly 25–100 mm, depending on age and jaw position
- Time
- Paleocene–Eocene
02
WHY IT LOOKS THIS WAY
Form follows feeding.
It resembles an early version of the megatooth design. The paired side cusplets separate it from adult megalodon.
03
LOOKALIKES
Do not stop at the first match.
ExtinctMegalodonMassive triangular crown, regular serrations, thick root and often a visible bourlette between crown and root.Compare profile →LivingSand tiger sharkLong, slender smooth-edged cusp with a small cusplet on each side and a two-lobed root.Compare profile →RELATED FORMOther otodontidsUse locality, age and associated teeth to separate this lookalike.
PRIMARY / AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE
Open source ↗Paleobiology Database
Use the source alongside collection locality and geologic age. A photograph alone cannot establish provenance.
HAVE A TOOTH TO CHECK?
Start a ranked identification →