A Wyoming teenager made an extraordinary discovery off the coast of Manasota Key, Florida, when he unearthed a 6-inch tooth belonging to a megalodon shark during a dive expedition earlier this week.
Sixteen-year-old Aiden Andrews was diving with his father, Brian, under the guidance of Fossil Junkies, a local tour group specializing in fossil hunting adventures.
Captain John Kreatsoulas, who leads the tours, shared with FOX 13 Tampa Bay’s Kimberly Kuizon that while smaller megalodon teeth are frequently found, stumbling upon one of this magnitude is exceedingly rare.
A video captured the thrilling moment underwater when Aiden and his father rejoiced over their astonishing find.
The megalodon, scientifically known as Carcharocles megalodon, has captured the public’s imagination, thanks to its portrayal in blockbuster movies, and is recognized as the largest shark species to have ever existed, according to the Smithsonian Institution.
Experts estimate that the largest megalodons could grow up to 60 feet long and weigh as much as 50 tons.
And as Andrews can attest — they possessed teeth the size of a human hand.
According to the Smithsonian, megalodon lived between 23 and 3.6 million years ago across all of Earth’s oceans.
