Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Summer/Fall 2017

DEBI PITTMAN WILKEY
Hunting for Sharks’ Teeth
on Venice’s Beaches
By: Gillian Birch
A strange natural phenomenon has led to Venice becoming known as “The Shark’s
Tooth Capital of the World.” These smooth T-shaped prehistoric teeth are usually
dark grey in color and may be anything from one inch to five inches in length. They
are so numerous in this area you can cheat and buy them at local souvenir stores for
a couple of dollars, but it’s much more rewarding to have the thrill of finding your
very own shark’s tooth.
Why is Venice so Special for Finding
Sha rks’ Teeth? These warm Gulf waters were once filled with
numerous giant sharks such as the extinct Carcharodon Megalodons. Area waters
are still home to a few species of smaller sharks, but it’s very unlikely to see one
within sight of land.
Millions of years ago, the sharks lived, bred, and then died in these exceptionally calm waters and their carcasses lay on the
seabed. Although most of the shark’s remains would rot, disintegrate, or become fish food, the hardened T-shaped teeth
became fossilized over time.
The tides carry, bury, and later uncover these hard objects, especially during winter storms. Eventually the teeth are thrown
up on the beach around Venice, due to the converging currents that deposit sediment along the shallow drop-offs along
the coastline.
Best Beaches in Venice for Finding Sharks’ Teeth
With 14 miles of sandy beaches
in Venice, there are a lot of opportunities for finding sharks’ teeth washed up along the edge of the water. Here’s a rundown
to some of the best beaches in Venice where you stand a good chance of going home with your own prehistoric collection
of sharks’ teeth – if you know how and where to search for them.
Venice Beach is one of the busiest beaches in the area and for that reason is possibly not the best beach for competing with
other sharks’ teeth fossil hunters. However, after a storm you may be lucky and find a tooth thrown up from the depths after
15 million years or so.
SHUTTERSTOCK
Beach
Safety
These Beach Tips are great to know – they may even
save a family member or your life.
Don’t Swim Against
a Rip Current
If a rip current is pulling you out to sea, swimming against it will only make you tired.
Instead, swim out of the current parallel to shore. Once out, swim back to shore.
Know The Signs of Drowning
Drowning can be a quiet process. No breathing means no calling for help.
Because humans instinctively push their arms into the water, a drowning victim
may not be able to wave for help. So, whether someone is flailing frantically
for help or quietly bobbing at
the surface with their mouth
submerged and arms extended
horizontally, ask them if they’re
alright, if they cannot answer, help
them or get help quickly.
Protect Your Neck
To avoid serious neck injuries never dive into unknown waters. Remember
“first time, feet first”.
Beach
Bazaar
SHUTTERSTOCK
The quieter Service Club Park Beach further south may be a better place to start your search. It is located behind the
municipal airport and has free parking, restrooms, showers, and a boardwalk to the beach.
The best beach for finding sharks’ teeth is Caspersen Beach, at the extreme south end of Venice’s beaches. This beach is
also good for scuba diving, which greatly enhances your chances of finding a larger Megladon tooth which can be more rare
and valuable. When the surf is calm proficient swimmers can snorkel out from the beach, and dive down to scour the sandy
bottom by hand-fanning the sand or look in crevices in the rocks or pockets of sand deposited there.
How to Search for Sharks’ Teeth You will always find ardent searchers sifting the water on Caspersen
Beach with their sand scoops and nets, looking for the next treasure. You may want to use a sand sieve to sift through the tiny
broken seashells that hide those elusive sharks’ teeth.
Use a small spade to shovel sand into your net or sieve. Let the water rinse away all but the larger particles, then examine
them for dark tooth-shaped forms. Sooner or later you will be rewarded with your very own prehistoric shark’s tooth to take
home and show off to family and friends.
14 SUMMER | FALL 2017 MustDo.com
Never Turn Your Back
to the Waves
Don’t let a carefree attitude get you swept up by a sneaky
wave. Even on a calm day, always keep an eye on the surf
to avoid injuries.
SWIMWEAR
Body Glove, Maaji, Roxanne, Hobie, O’Neil,
Roxy, Sunsets, Jantzen, Kenneth Cole etc.
SUNGLASSES
Costa, Maui Jim, Vonzipper and Spy
SANDALS
Reef, Sanuk, Speedo and Pali
SURFWEAR
RVCA, Billabong, RipCurl and O’Neill
Siesta Key’s Beach Superstore
5211 Ocean Blvd. • Siesta Key
941.346.2995 • www.beach-bazaar.com