Sand Tiger Shark Tooth
Striatolamia macrota • Body fossil (vertebrate, Elasmobranchii tooth)
Geological Period
Paleogene (Eocene epoch)
Estimated Age
34 to 56 million years
Preservation Type
Mineral replacement (permineralization), resulting in a typical dark-grey to black 'beach fossil' coloration due to phosphate and iron enrichment.
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The crown is well-preserved with clear striations, but the root is incomplete (broken/worn on the right lobe) and lateral cusplets are missing due to marine erosion (common for beach finds).
Taxonomic Classification
Chordata, Chondrichthyes, Lamniformes, Odontaspididae, Genus: Striatolamia
Morphological Description
Elongated, slender main cusp with a sharp apex. The lingual surface (visible) exhibits characteristic longitudinal striations (folds) near the base of the crown. The root is bilobed with a distinct 'U' shape, though one side appears asymmetrically longer/worn. Small lateral cusplets (typical of the genus) appear heavily worn or absent in this specimen.
Rock Matrix
None (isolated specimen), though frequently associated with the Boom Clay or Ledian sands found in the North Sea basin.
Formation & Location
Found at Cadzand-Bad (Southern Netherlands), likely reworked from the Oosterzele or Wemmel Formations of the Belgian/Dutch border region.
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 2.0 - 2.5 cm in slant height; typical for mid-sized adult Striatolamia macrota specimens.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $15.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$10.00 - $25.00 USD (typically sold in small lots for auction purposes)
Rarity Assessment
Common; one of the most frequently discovered fossil shark species in the Cadzand and Zeeland coastal areas.
Scientific Significance
Provides evidence of warm, shallow marine Eocene ecosystems in the North Sea region. Striatolamia was a dominant apex predator in these environments.
Preparation Recommendations
Requires minimal preparation. Rinse in distilled water to remove समुद्री (sea) salts which can cause leaching; store in a dry, stable environment. Use a padded acrylic case for display.
Notable Features
Distinctive vertical striations on the enameloid surface and the characteristic dark mineralization typical of fossils found on the Dutch/Belgian coastline.
Notes
Found in The Netherlands (beach) south, at Cadzand.