This object is on permanent display in the Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life and Land exhibit, located in the front entrance shark jaw case.
Summary
Miocene Megatoothed Shark (Carcharodon megalodon)
From Duval Co., Florida
Lived ~7-5 million years ago
Collection
Story
Those jaws were put back together by a retired physician in Jacksonville named Dr. Jeremiah. And his passion was, on the weekends, reconstructing fossil shark jaws and he donated all of those jaws that are in the front of the Fossil Hall to the Museum. If we had tried to go out and purchase those or acquire them in an auction … they basically are priceless. And they’re unique. Really, really cool.
What was interesting is that when we first put this jaw on display, there was some concerns because it says it’s from the St. John’s River. These are teeth from the St. John’s River of an animal that used to live there millions of years ago, but some of the public were concerned that maybe these Megalodons still lived in the St. John’s River so we had to retrofit a label that said, “This animal is now extinct.”
Bruce MacFadden
Curator, Vertebrate Paleontology*
Distinguished Professor*
Florida Museum of Natural History
Exhibit
On display Sept. 23, 2017-Jan. 7, 2018, Rare, Beautiful & Fascinating: 100 Years @FloridaMuseum celebrated the Museum’s rich history. Each Museum collection was asked to contribute its most interesting items and share the stories that make them special. Though the physical exhibit is closed, this companion website remains online, providing an opportunity to experience the Florida Museum’s most treasured specimens.
Exhibit Area: Always on Display
Want to see more? Explore more than 300 breathtaking color photos of plants, animals, fossils and cultural heritage materials from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s collections in the award-winning book All Things Beautiful available from the University Press of Florida.
*This title was accurate at the time the exhibit was on display in 2017. Please visit the collection website to verify current staff and student information.