You can do all sorts of things on Caspersen Beach – sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, reading, paddling, shelling, making sandcastles and you can also hunt for prehistoric shark’s teeth!
Photo credit Nita EttingerHunt for Shark’s Teeth on Caspersen Beach in Venice
Known as the Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World, the Gulf waters at Caspersen Beach has converging currents that deposit all sorts of sediment on the shallow drop-offs along the beach. At low tide, and particularly after a storm, the receding waters leave behind shells, small rocks and a surprising number of fossilized shark’s teeth.
Photo credit Nita EttingerBefore you head down to the sands with your bucket and spade, checkout exactly what shark’s teeth looks like so you don’t discard them by mistake.
Photo credit Debi Pittman WilkeyThese warm Gulf waters were once home to giant sharks such as carcharodon megalodons. Their fossilized teeth are distinctly triangular with one long point and two shorter points at the thicker base. They look like black onyx. If you think you have found a shark’s tooth a good test is to try to break it – if it crumbles, it’s not a shark’s tooth as they are very hard.
Photo credit Nita EttingerHow to Hunt for Shark’s Teeth on Caspersen Beach
You need a small garden shovel or garden pick, a sieve and a bucket or bag to keep your treasure safe. Some places around Venice, Florida sell box-like traps for scooping up the sand and letting it wash through the bottom mesh. Larger debris can then be examined to see if you have netted a shark’s tooth.
Photo credit Nita Ettinger