Showing posts with label rocks gems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rocks gems. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

January 2011 Fossil of the Month

Fossil Teeth

Shark------------------ Megalodon----------

Alligator----------- Orca Killer Whale

The most commonly found fossil teeth are shark teeth although mammoth, mastodon, horse, bison, primate, and the teeth of skates, rays, whales and dolphins are also highly sought after. In general, the larger the tooth the more valuable although value is also based on whether the fossil teeth are rare. For example, mastodon teeth are smaller than mammoth teeth but are more valuable due to the rarity of the mastodon teeth. Fossil teeth found take many different forms. Many animals, including mammoths, sharks and reptiles go through quite a few sets of teeth during their lifetime, making it easier to find them.

Mammoth teeth are often found after being tossed around by the ocean for many years, so their appearance may be rounded. Mammoth teeth from the Pleistocene can be found in the North Sea, Alaska and Russia among other places.

Mastodon teeth are most commonly found from the Shovel-Tusker Mastodon, since the teeth from the American Mastodon are much harder to find. Both the Shovel-Tusker Mastodon and the American Mastodon are a part of an extinct group of proboscidians with cusped molar teeth.

The teeth of a shark are the only part of its body that is easy to fossilize because they are made up of bone while the rest of the shark is made up of cartilage. Small shark teeth are extremely common on some East Coast beaches but larger fossilized shark teeth are harder to find. The Megalodon shark was over 40 feet long and is now extinct. Fossil teeth from this shark are extremely valuable and are about 3 times as big as the teeth from a great white shark. Alligator teeth are commonly found in Florida. These fossil teeth are very important to the study of terrestrial vertebrates in North America. Many species of fossil whale teeth can be found in both North & South Carolina as well as several other locations around the world.

Mosasaur----------Mammoth-------Shark



Thursday, February 22, 2007

educational programs in your classroom


The Del Air Rockhounds Club promotes educational programs in your classroom.

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Rocks in Your Classroom

Our Del Air Rockhound Club members will visit your classroom
with a presentation on geology.

bulletInteractive discussion
bulletSlide show
bulletHands-on specimens

Every student will have a chance to hold a variety of rocks and fossils in their own hands. Program is 30 minutes to an hour depending on age level.
To schedule your school visit contact:
Please include in your email, a name, phone number and school address.

email Us at delairrockhounds@gmail.com

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409 - Phone # 818-714-0321