Is there sweet spot for finding shark’s teeth in Myrtle Beach area?
It’s a sought after coastal souvenir, one that has beachgoers stooped over scanning the sand for the black, triangular shape that is the shark’s tooth.
Social media is filled with Facebook groups whose members proudly show the tooth they have found – both big and little.
It truly is an addiction, resulting in people asking where is the best place to find the teeth on Horry County beaches.
But is there a sweet spot where hunters can find an abundance of shark teeth?
The truth is there are a number of sharks that swim the ocean along the Grand Strand, so it’s possible to find shark’s teeth just about anywhere. However, there are a few tips and some places that will help in discovering the teeth.
Best places to search
Those who spend a lot of time hunting shark’s teeth or seashells have their favorite spots, and often don’t like to share the locations.
Charles Shelton Jr., an expert shark tooth hunter, said previously that the area around Second Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach has a lot of shark’s teeth because of the rock bed that is there. Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach is also a good location.
Tom Pierce agrees. Pierce, owner of Trader Bill Shark Teeth located inside the Gay Dolphin along North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, has been finding and dealing with shark’s teeth for 56 years.
It is that same area that Shelton suggests Pierce began his shark tooth hunting in 1969 when he came to Myrtle Beach to work with Bill Swanson.
Another good location is around the SkyWheel in Myrtle Beach, Pierce said. But, Pierce said, “there’s no one better spot than the other.”
Shelton offers his knowledge and expertise on finding sharks’ teeth and fossils during tours and educational talks. He also manages the Myrtle Beach Shark Teeth Facebook page, which currently has more than 51,000 members.
Some locations for finding teeth that members have shared are near the Cherry Grove pier and Holden Beach, North Carolina, which is about an hour from Myrtle Beach.
Shelton said a shark loses between 20,000 to 30,000 teeth, Shelton said. And with about 60 mouths of different shark species in the Myrtle Beach area, it provides a perfect opportunity for anyone to find them.
Some of the more common shark species are Dusky, Tiger, Spinner, Black Tip, Bull and Great White.
A shark loses teeth about every one to two weeks, Pierce said. When a shark loses a tooth, it is white. However, when it’s buried, it begins to disintegrate and depending on what mineral it is buried in, is what color it will turn, he said.
Because of that, most shark’s teeth are black, but some teeth could be gray or brown.
Pierce’s biggest tip is not to get caught up in finding the little ones.
“If you search for the little ones, you won’t see the big ones,” Pierce said.
Tips for finding the big ones
Ultimately, look for a shiny, black, triangular shape in the sand.
Moving is the key to finding teeth, Shelton said. Start by looking at the beach and where the surf has been. Find the highest tide line and the thrash line, where the greatest number of shells have been left. There is a greater chance of finding bigger teeth in that area.
The more shells, the greater the chance of finding shark teeth, Shelton said.
A misconception is that a shark’s tooth won’t break, but that’s not always true, Pierce said. It is true that shark’s teeth are stronger than a piece of shell, which can often be shaped like a tooth. Many hunters will try to break the piece that is found to determine whether it is a shark’s tooth.
A good tip is that a shark’s tooth shines difference than a shell piece, Pierce said. “That’s how you can tell if it’s a tooth,” he said. Shark’s teeth have a smooth, glossy surface and a polished appearance. Shells often have a matte or pearlescent finish.
Come on a dry day.
Winter at lowest tide is a better time to look.
Switch up your beaches.
Go early.
A wet tooth looks different than a dry tooth. A Caroline Cream, for instance, is tan when wet and white when dry. To find one of these, you will have to dig as they are often not found on the sand.
