Tiger Shark tooth identification
A short, oblique, cockscomb-shaped crown with coarse serrations along the leading edge, finer secondary serrations, and a distinct notch or step on the trailing edge. Wide root.
At a glance
| Scientific name | Galeocerdo cuvier |
|---|---|
| Family | Carcharhinidae |
| Status | Extant (near threatened) |
| Time range | Middle Miocene to Recent |
| Typical tooth size in our reference | 1.5 to 5 cm (0.6 to 2 inches) along the slant |
| Where teeth turn up | US Atlantic Coastal Plain (Maryland to Florida); US Gulf Coast (Florida to Texas); US Pacific coast; Worldwide. US states with known finds: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida |
| How common | Common |
What to look for
| Crown shape | Oblique, flat in cross-section |
|---|---|
| Serrations | Compound |
| Enamel | Smooth |
| Neck between crown and root | None |
| Root | Low, wide, grooved |
| Root groove | Groove |
| Side cusplets | None |
| Position in the jaw | Upper and lower teeth are similar: short, wide, strongly oblique cockscomb shapes |
The clues that matter most
- A notch or step on the trailing edge (cockscomb)
- Compound serrations (big serrations carrying small ones)
Signs it is probably something else
- Cusplets
- No notch on a clear, complete trailing edge
How it differs from look-alikes
- Contorted-tooth Tiger-like Shark: Contortus lacks the notch and has weaker serrations.
- Snaggletooth teeth: Hemipristis has no notch and its serrations differ on the two edges.
Many teeth cannot be pinned to one species. A careful answer names the likeliest candidates and says how sure it is. See how identification works and shark tooth anatomy.
Fossil, recent and collecting notes
The notch is the most reliable single feature of the species.
Tiger sharks have been found with everything from license plates to tires in their stomachs, and the notched, saw-edged teeth can cut through a turtle's shell.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change and differ by place, so check with the landowner or the agency that manages the land.
Sources
- Cappetta, H. 2012. Chondrichthyes: Mesozoic and Cenozoic Elasmobranchii: Teeth. Handbook of Paleoichthyology 3E. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil.
- Ebert, D.A., Dando, M. & Fowler, S. 2021. Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide. Princeton University Press.
- Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue Vol. 4: Sharks of the World, Parts 1 and 2. FAO Fisheries Synopsis 125.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (gbif.org), accepted names and IUCN Red List categories as listed there, checked Nov 7 2026.
- The Paleobiology Database (paleobiodb.org), taxonomy and stratigraphic ranges, checked Nov 2026.
Compiled from the published sources listed below. This guide has not yet been reviewed by an outside paleontologist. Last updated November 11, 2026.