This Florida beach is the 'Shark Tooth Capital' of the world. Here are quick tips to find them

Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·1 min read
23

Looking for shark teeth in Florida? Here’s how to get lucky in Venice, the world’s "shark tooth capital."

Where’s the best place to look for shark teeth in Florida?

Sharks shed between 30,000 and 50,000 teeth in their lifetime, giving plenty of opportunities to find some at the beach.

The gulf beaches around Venice are a goldmine for fossilized shark teeth. Make sure to check out Caspersen Beach, Casey Key and Manasota Key. A good place to start when searching for shark teeth will be the Venice Fishing Pier. There, you’ll be able to rent a Venice “snow shovel,” a screened basket perfect for finding teeth.

What are the best tools to use to find shark teeth?

  • Hat and sunscreen for sun protection

  • Bucket or bag for shark tooth finds

  • Sifter if onshore hunting

  • Scuba or diving equipment if offshore hunting

Steven Fabijanski shows off a few sharks' teeth he found in July 2014, at Caspersen Beach. Visitors from all parts of the state and country come to Caspersen Beach to sift through shells and sand to take home sharks teeth and fossils.
Steven Fabijanski shows off a few sharks' teeth he found in July 2014, at Caspersen Beach. Visitors from all parts of the state and country come to Caspersen Beach to sift through shells and sand to take home sharks teeth and fossils.

Why does Venice, Caspersen and other beaches have so many shark teeth?

When Florida was under water 10 million years ago, it was filled with sharks, and the coastal area that Venice sits on fossil layer that expands up to 35-feet deep, according to Visit Sarasota website.

How do you find shark teeth at the beach?

The best time to look for shark teeth is just after a storm when the waves expose a new layer of sand. Once you have all your gear, walk to the shoreline where the waves are crashing. While the waves break, scoop up the sifter a few feet into the water and sort through the sand and shells for a smooth, shark tooth.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Shark teeth are all over Venice, Florida beach. How to collect them