Finding Prehistoric Shark Teeth is Easy with Just a Short Trip from Any Gainesville, Florida Apartment

One of the most interesting aspects of Florida is its unique limestone geology, which formed as the sea slowly filled the Gulf Trough with sand, clay, and silt. While our peninsula was forming millions of years ago, it was home to many species of fish including some of the largest to ever roam the ocean. One prime example is the Megalodon, a shark similar to a Great White but that could grow nearly twice as large. Though these animals disappeared long ago, their fossils, in-particular their teeth, have remained buried in the limestone of our state for eons. As springs have worn away the rock trapping the fossilized teeth, many are carried up in the strong water currents, and deposited where intrepid amateur historians can find them.

There are several hot-spots close to any Gainesville, Florida apartment that fossil hunters can easily travel to, including:

• Possum Creek – Located in northwest Gainesville near Devil’s Millhopper State Park
• Hogtown Creek – Located in northwest Gainesville near the Royal Gardens area
• Peace River – Approximately two and a half hours’ drive south of Gainesville, starting in Lakeland and stretching south to Port Charlotte, the entire length of this river is a fertile ground for shark teeth.
• Rainbow River – About an hour’s drive south near Dunnellon, this river contains a number of springs and parks rich in potential fossils.

Though these are popular locations, nearly any safely accessible sinkhole, quarry, filled area, or riverbed throughout the state is likely to have a ready supply of fossilized shark teeth waiting to be found. It’s a smart idea to build or buy a sifter with a fine mesh to sort through the sand. Strong swimmers may also want to use a mask, snorkel, and fins to get to sand and gravel right near spring outlets as this is often the most fossil-rich location.

This is just one of the many activities that Bellamay Grand residents can enjoy in and around the Gainesville area. For more information on our community or the units we have available, contact our main office today.