What’s going on?

Did you know that Florida has fossils? The state’s unique geological history set the stage for the exceedingly rare process of preserving remains of plants and animals of the past. 

Shark teeth are some of the most common fossils found in the state, especially in creek beds and beaches. Florida also has some of the best mammal fossils from the last Ice Age in the world, including elephant-like mastodons, dire wolves, giant lions, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths.

Fossils rock!… literally. Fossils are rock. They appear in many forms such as impressions, traces, molds, and preserved remains. 

Why it matters.

Florida’s fossil record goes back over 50 million years! 

Fossils can be found everywhere in the state from sandy beaches to phosphate mines, riverbeds and limestone!  

Florida is recognized as a special place for finding fossils, especially vertebrate fossils. Many areas of North America don’t have any, and those that do mostly have invertebrate fossils such as mollusks or corals. 

Knowing how organisms in Florida responded to environmental changes in the geologic past is crucial to understanding our future as we face sea level rise, increased global temperatures, and increased extreme weather events from human-caused climate change 

What you can do.

With over 15 million acres of publicly accessible land in Florida, fossil hunting is a popular pastime. But there are a few things to keep in mind before setting off. 

It is illegal to collect fossils in national parks, state parks, wildlife refuges, and other lands owned and managed by the state and local government agencies.  

On state lands that are not classified as the above, you may collect certain fossils such as shark teeth, petrified wood, shells, and echinoids without a permit. 

Vertebrate fossils (not including shark teeth) do require a permit to collect. The permit is $5, issued by the Florida Museum of Natural History, and is valid for a year. With this permit, you must report all fossil finds to the museum and they can retain any fossils deemed scientifically significant. 

Information from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, National Geographic, and Florida Polytechnic University.