The Hunt!

Last weekend Kim & I decided to go hunting for Megalodon teeth on the Peace River. Megalodon is the prehistoric ancestor to our modern-day Great White Shark, though some scientist think it was more closely related to the Mako. I’m not a fan of swimming with any sharks, don’t really care who they’re related to, but this great granddaddy of whomever would keep me far from any water outside a swimming pool, or bathtub.

Megalodon lived 23 to 2.3 million years ago and measured upwards of 60 feet!  The largest tooth ever found is just over 7 inches. A Great White, by comparison, can be as large as 20 feet and the largest tooth found measured just under 3 inches. Get the picture? Big and much, much bigger! Now, to find us one of those 7 inch teeth!

Mariah and Dusty were onboard. The spot we were seeking on the Peace River was only about an hour from their house. We piled into the truck, off on an adventure that started by spotting two bald eagles hanging out in their nests. The GPS guided us off the highway in search of running water. I’ve talked about the need for paper maps before in another post, and this time was no different, because it didn’t take long for modern technology to lead us to nowhere! We got turned around and guided ourselves, by our own sense of direction, and it wasn’t long before the GPS guidance system caught up with us. Sure hope our military has access to a more sophisticated satellite!

Finding what we were looking for, we set off for the water with shovel in hand. We needed a sifter, but not being able to locate one to purchase, employed Yankee ingenuity and built our own out of wire, 2 sticks and zip ties. Not pretty , but it worked. Mariah turned to me at the river’s edge and said, “You know, if this was Colorado we would be thinking right now about how cold this water is going to be. Instead, here in Florida we’re scanning the water and the shore wondering if we’re going to be lunch!” Alligators had been on my mind too, but the water was shallow and very clear. The banks were open, and though alligators might find them attractive for sunning, at least we would be able to see them. There were also a fair number of other tooth hunters nearby, and if ever there was a time for safety in numbers this was it! Our reasoning may be erroneous, but it resonated well. Yet to be sure, we were careful to maintain situational awareness and not get too wrapped up in the hunt.

We scored several fossils, some identified, some not, all interesting. We claimed three shark’s teeth, but small in nature and way too small to be even a Megalodon baby. It didn’t matter, they only served to stoke tooth fever! Kim’s sandals blew out, leaving him in the middle of the river with nothing but flapping soles and frayed webbing strapped to his ankles, virtually barefoot! The constant bending over, scooping sand and gravel, and crouched sifting left our legs and backs sore from the effort. My neck is still aching from a day’s worth of looking down into the river. Totally worth it! Megalodon had eluded us, but we’ll are already planning our return. The hunt is on!