EXCLUSIVE Woman unearths massive tooth from terrifying prehistoric creature on US beach
The discovery has sparked a wave of excitement among fossil hunters and shark enthusiasts, as the perfectly preserved tooth likely belonged to one of the most fearsome sea creatures in Earth's history - the Megalodon.
Nichole Mercuri, 26, was walking solo along the west coast of Florida when she spotted an enormous triangle-shaped object buried in the sand earlier this summer.
She filmed the jaw-dropping moment when she pulled the tooth from the sand and posted it on her social media, where her video has racked up more than 929,000 likes, turning her fossil find into an online celebration.
Mercuri said in a video shared on Instagram: 'There is no way, I just found, please be whole, oh my God!'
A recent study published by the Florida Museum of Natural History confirmed that Megalodon teeth can range up to seven inches and were shaped like serrated knives.
Experts say Megalodon teeth this size are extremely rare, especially when found intact. The extinct predator, which lived between 23 million and 3.6 million years ago, could grow as long as 60 feet and had a bite force strong enough to crush a car.
Mercuri's discovery has reignited public fascination with prehistoric sea life, especially a creature that may have once hunted whales and rival sharks, and sparked debate over how many undiscovered fossils may still be buried in the sands of Florida.
The ancient tooth can be identified by its jagged edges, sharp triangular shape, and the deep gray or black color that fossilized material takes on after millions of years underground.
'It had that classic triangular form and serrated edges,' Mercuri told DailyMail.com. 'I've seen other people in person pull out Meg teeth in Florida before, so I knew what I was looking at.'
Unlike bones, teeth made of hard enamel survive the test of time, making them the most common fossils left behind by the Megalodon, a predator so massive it had a jaw wide enough to swallow a human whole.
The Florida Museum says these fossils usually surface after storms, dredging, or erosion dislodged from ancient sea beds and buried beneath modern beaches.
Mercuri did not reveal the exact beach where she found the tooth, only saying it was on Florida's west coast.
However, Mercuri added there is no special trick to finding something so rare.
'You can find teeth and fossils at certain beaches in Florida, Peace River, and inland,' she explained.
'There's honestly no secret, just a lot of time spent searching, learning from past finds, and keeping an open mind,' she continued.
'Sometimes it's more about knowing where not to look. And occasionally, luck plays a part too,' the fossil hunter added.
Mercuri has collected more than 100 shark teeth over the years, and recently began targeting spots with the right geological conditions where prehistoric sediment is more likely to surface.
'Since last year I started going to certain places, and that's when I started finding bigger teeth,' she said.
Her room is now lined with shelves packed with shark teeth, shells, and fossils, a visual timeline of her passion, which began when she was a child walking the beach with her father.
Mercuri's favorite piece is still the first whole Megalodon tooth she found in 2024. Her latest discovery was the second from this species.
'It's a baby Megalodon and definitely not as big as the other ones I have found, but it will always be my favorite,' she said.
Though she's not a trained paleontologist, Mercuri said she has spent years studying fossils through online groups and community forums.
Mercuri joined Facebook groups where collectors swap tips on where to search and how to tell real fossils from broken shells or rocks.
'If someone wants to get into this, I always tell them to join a Facebook group,' she said. 'There are places in Florida you can find fossils or cool shells, you just have to go for it.'
She encouraged beginners not to wait for a guide, just to start looking.
'You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for,' Mercuri said Wednesday.
Megalodon teeth have been found around the world, but Florida is one of the top places in the US to spot them, thanks to its shifting ocean floor and storm-prone coastline.
With over 250 teeth in rows like giant steak knives, the Megalodon ripped through prey with ease, making it one of the deadliest predators to ever swim in the ocean.
The Florida Museum noted that areas like Venice Beach and Peace River are well-known among collectors, though some of the best finds still come from random walks on quiet beaches.
Mercuri said what keeps her going is the thrill of the unexpected, and the rush of touching something that hasn't seen daylight for millions of years.
'Finding these pieces of history just lying in the sand is wild,' she said. 'It's like holding time in your hand.'
'Every time I go out, I just hope I'll find something special. And this one? It blew my mind.'
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