For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the mystery and wonder of the ocean. There’s a certain kind of magic to beachcombing – the rhythmic crash of waves, the sand between your toes, the salty breeze carrying the scent of the sea, and the hope that each step might lead to something extraordinary. A day at the beach is always an adventure. From shark teeth to beautiful seashells, starfish clinging to rocks, and the occasional dolphin sighting, you never quite know what treasures the ocean will reveal, making each trip uniquely exciting.

Standing on a secluded stretch of beach on the Gulf coast of Florida, I felt a familiar thrill. I’ve been searching for fossilised shark teeth for years, learning to spot the telltale shapes hidden among the sand and shells. There’s an addictive excitement in scanning the shoreline, sifting through shell piles, never knowing what you might find. The real magic lies in the unpredictability – every rock might be a fossil, and every wave could wash up a tooth that’s millions of years old. Over time, I’ve found thousands of teeth from various shark species; from the smoothly pointed teeth of mako sharks to the slanted and serrated teeth of tiger sharks, and the occasional fragment of a larger tooth. Yet one discovery had always eluded me: a full megalodon tooth. That changed on this day. I had unknowingly arrived at the right place at the right time – a beach newly sculpted by the forces of nature, ready to reveal its prehistoric secrets.

The day I found the megalodon tooth was a perfect example of how unpredictable and rewarding fossil hunting can be. For hours, I found nothing but shells and a variety of small shark teeth, until I noticed something black lying at the edge of the waves. At first glance, I thought it was just another rock, an unremarkable find, like so many others I’ve picked up before. I have a habit of grabbing anything that looks remotely interesting, even if it’s probably just a stone. Most of the time, it is just a stone, though sometimes I stumble upon small fragments of what were once larger shark teeth. But this time, when I reached down and pulled it out of the sand, the triangular shape and serrated edges were unmistakable. I quickly realised it was a whole megalodon tooth, as large as my palm and in pristine condition – a rare and incredible find, especially on a beach.  While any shark tooth find is exciting, a megalodon tooth is something else entirely. Their broad, triangular teeth dwarf the slender, pointed teeth of modern sharks, and this tooth, though certainly not the largest, was still an impressive 3 inches in length.

Unlike smaller shark teeth, which are relatively common and easy to find in this area, intact megalodon teeth are rare treasures. Most well-preserved megalodon teeth are found in riverbeds, or on scuba diving trips, where the conditions better protect fossils from the effects of erosion. This tooth, though slightly chipped at the root, was remarkably intact. Could the recent hurricane have been the reason this fossil was unearthed? It’s entirely possible. Strong storm surges and high waves often act as natural excavators, stirring up the seabed, eroding the shoreline and shifting layers of sediment, to expose fossils that have been hidden for millions of years.

The coastal shelf in Venice is rich in fossil deposits, making the area a favourite destination for fossil hunters. Millions of years ago, this area was submerged under a shallow sea teeming with marine life, including prehistoric sharks like the megalodon. Sharks lose tens of thousands of teeth in their lifetimes, and many sink to the ocean floor, hidden for millions of years before resurfacing. When these teeth are rapidly buried by sediment, they can undergo fossilisation, with minerals slowly replacing the organic material over time, until geological forces shift and erode the landscape, eventually freeing the fossils to be discovered by a lucky beachgoer. It’s astonishing to think about the sheer number of shark teeth still hidden beneath the sand, despite countless people combing the shore every day, the supply never seems to run out.

Each shark tooth is a unique relic of the ocean’s past, shaped by time and tides. Some are sleek and sharply pointed, others broad and serrated. Their colours vary depending on the minerals present during fossilisation, ranging from jet black and smoky grey to rich browns, warm ambers, and even marbled hues of blue or orange. Worn smooth by the waves or perfectly preserved with razor-sharp edges, each tooth is a reminder of our planet’s vast history and the many secrets still waiting to be uncovered.

The megalodon is the holy grail for shark tooth hunters. Because teeth are the most commonly found shark fossils – and often the only remnants – much about the megalodon remains a mystery. Each tooth, however, tells a story, offering clues that help paleontologists piece together ancient marine ecosystems and the evolution of ocean predators over millions of years.

It is estimated that the megalodon lived between 23 and 3.6 million years ago and was the largest shark ever to exist, reaching lengths of up to 60 feet. Its massive jaws held rows of serrated teeth, with the largest ever found measuring over 7 inches. The megalodon’s extinction remains a subject of debate. Some theories suggest that cooling ocean temperatures and declining prey populations contributed to their downfall, while others point to competition with modern great white sharks, which may have outcompeted juvenile megalodons for food.

Beyond their scientific significance, megalodon teeth have held cultural and practical value throughout history. Indigenous communities and early civilisations repurposed them as tools, using their sharp edges for cutting and carving. Some were set into jewellery, and some cultures believed they possessed mystical properties – acting as good luck charms or amulets for protection. In medieval Europe, fossilised megalodon teeth, known as glossopetrae or ‘tongue stones’, were believed to have magical properties that could detect or neutralise poison. People would dip them into drinks as a safeguard against poisoning, a practice based on the belief that the teeth held purifying powers. The human fascination with shark teeth has endured for centuries, connecting us to the mysteries of the deep and captivating scientists, collectors, and beachcombers alike with their beauty, rarity, and glimpse into prehistoric oceans­, offering a tangible link to a time long before humans.

The discovery of fossilised teeth is a window into a prehistoric world where sharks thrived in abundance. While hunting for fossilised shark teeth connects us to the past, it also calls attention to the present and serves as a poignant reminder of the sharks that still inhabit our oceans today. Florida’s waters are home to many species, and I’ve had the privilege of swimming alongside lemon sharks, bull sharks, and tiger sharks. Despite their fearsome reputation, sharks are intelligent, curious creatures that have far more to fear from us than we do from them.  As apex predators, they play a vital role in maintaining marine ecosystems and ensuring a balanced and biodiverse ocean. Having existed for over 400 million years, surviving mass extinctions and evolving through countless changes in the planet’s history, sharks now face unprecedented threats from human activity. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and shark finning are pushing many species toward the brink of extinction, and it’s heartbreaking to consider the damage that human impact has had on such a resilient species in just a few short centuries.

Without sharks, ocean ecosystems would change dramatically. It’s a sobering thought, but also a call to action. As I left the beach that day, megalodon tooth in hand, I reflected on the power of nature to reshape the world around us, preserving and revealing its history. Nature has a way of reminding us how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and discovering something that has survived millennia is a reminder that while we are just a fleeting moment in the vast timeline of life, we hold the power to shape the future.

The beaches here aren’t just rich in prehistoric treasures such as the megalodon tooth I found – they are part of a delicate coastal ecosystem of dunes, marshes, and mangroves which provide vital habitats for countless species, and preserving them is just as important as preserving the past. Beyond the thrill of finding fossils, this area offers the chance to observe an incredible array of wildlife. Dolphins occasionally swim by, adding a touch of magic to a day at the beach. Shorebirds patrol the shore, searching for fish and small crustaceans while ospreys circle overhead, scanning the water for fish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle. The simple act of being outdoors enhances the experience, making it about more than just the treasures you find. It’s a reminder of how deeply interconnected we are with the natural world and how vital it is to protect these environments.

The same ocean that was once home to the megalodon continues to shape the coastline, offering glimpses into the distant past. If you ever find yourself on these beaches, grab a sifter, and start searching. Whether you’re a seasoned fossil hunter or a curious beginner, there’s something unforgettable about holding a fossil in your hand and realising it has been waiting millions of years to be found.

The ocean has many secrets to share, and if you start searching, you just might find them…