Collection: Carcharodon hastalis, Broad-Tooth Mako Shark

Carcharodon hastalis, commonly known as the broad-tooth mako, is an extinct species of large predatory shark that mainly lived in the Pliocene and Miocene epochs. It is closely related to modern lamniform sharks, the group that includes mako sharks and the great white shark.

The teeth of Carcharodon hastalis are easily recognized by their broad triangular shape and smooth cutting edges without serrations. This distinguishes them from the serrated teeth of the modern great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). These teeth were adapted for grasping and slicing prey such as fish and marine mammals in ancient oceans.

Fossil teeth of Carcharodon hastalis are found in many marine deposits around the world, including Miocene sediments in Belgium, especially the Antwerp region, as well as localities in North America, South America, and Asia. The Antwerp area is particularly well known among collectors for producing well preserved fossil shark teeth from the ancient North Sea basin.