Otodus obliquus, Fossil Shark tooth

Otodus obliquus was a large mackerel shark, the largest shark of its time. Scientists believe this shark could have been as long as 30 feet. It roamed the world's oceans during the late Paleocene and into the Eocene Epoch about 40-50 million years ago. It ate bony fish and marine mammals.

Classification

Class: Chondrichthyes
All sharks and rays have a skelletal system made of cartilage instead of bone.

Order: ‬Lamniformes

The Lamnifores are commonly called Mackerel sharks. This order includes large predators like Otodus obliquus, great white, megamouth, and megalodon.

Otodus obliquus belonged to the Lamniformes order of sharks. Scientists now believe that Otodus obliquus was the probable ancestor of Megalodon, the largest shark ever to swim the oceans.

Where are Otodus obliquus Fossils Found?

Otodus obliquus teeth have been found in many places around the world, Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia all have Otodus teeth fossils. Morocco seems to have the most plentiful supply. Otodus teeth as well as other sharks, pterosaurs, fish fossils, and mosasaurs are found in abundance near Khouribga, in the central part of Morocco. This area is home to huge phospate mines. Morocco is the worlds top producer of phosphate. Most of the teeth are destroyed by the mining process but those that make it through are collected by the local Moroccans for the fossil trade.

Otodus obliquus Teeth

The teeth of Otodus obliquus were big, up to 4 inches. They are distinctive in that they had small side cusps at the root of the tooth. The edges of the tooth were usually smooth but some have been found with the beginings of serrations. 

Otodus obliquus Fact File

The Otodus obliquus Timeline