As Australians, we’re no strangers to the wonders that our vast and varied coastline can reveal. From the tropical beauty of Queensland’s beaches to the rugged charm of Tasmania’s shores, there’s always something new to discover.
But for one Hobart resident, a casual stroll along a remote Tasmanian beach turned into an extraordinary adventure that he won’t soon forget.
The anonymous ecologist was enjoying the tranquillity of the northeast Tasmanian coastline when he stumbled upon something remarkable in the sand.
It was a discovery that would make any beachcomber’s heart race: a fossilised shark tooth, the only one he had ever found.
‘It’s the only shark tooth I’ve found,’ he said.
Fossilised megalodon teeth and other ancient remnants are known to grace the same stretch of beach, but the man had no expectations of uncovering such a treasure.
‘I had heard that they occur along that coast, so while I was aware of the possibility of finding one…I only intended to go for a stroll along the beach,’ he explained.
The true awe of his discovery hit him when he examined the smooth, black object, measuring 45mm in length, resting in his palm.
Despite some weathering around the edges, the tooth was remarkably well-preserved, a silent witness to a bygone era.
Curious about the tooth’s origins, the man took to the internet, posting photos and drawing the attention of locals equally thrilled by the find. He also sought the expertise of a paleontologist to shed light on the tooth’s past.
‘I suspect it’s a very old, fossilised, great white tooth, rather than a megalodon. I’m certainly no expert, but it closely fits the size and aesthetic profile for a white,’ he said.
His hunch was spot on. Jeff Johnson, the manager of ichthyology at Queensland Museum, confirmed after reviewing the images that the tooth belonged to a large great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias).
‘It is quite worn, with all serrations abraded away,’ Johnson noted. ‘It has been buried under the substrate for a very long time, and at least semi-fossilised. We cannot estimate its age simply from viewing it.’
While shark teeth can be unearthed quite regularly after storms and rough weather expose them, they are not typically considered valuable. However, the value of such a find goes beyond monetary worth—it’s a tangible connection to our planet’s natural history.
Last week’s revelation of a former Australia Post worker discovering a diamond-shaped gem on Flinders Island, also in Tasmania’s northeast, further cements the idea that adventure and discovery are just a step away.
Have you had a similar experience or made an unexpected discovery? We’d love to hear about it. Share your stories in the comments below.
Also read: Beach attendance down after ‘massive’ shark sighting
