Cretodus, meaning “chalk tooth”, was a 22 foot long shark which lived throughout the world during the middle to late Cretaceous Period 100-85 million years ago.
Cretodus was one of the first “modern” sharks to appear on earth during the middle Cretaceous. Specifically, it belonged to the order Lamniformes, commonly known as “mackerel sharks”, which today includes the Great White, Mako, Porbeagle, and Sand Tiger.
Five species of Cretodus have been described, and most estimates state that they reached 22 feet long or possibly slightly larger. Teeth and body fossils have mostly been found within the United States, but remains have also been uncovered in England, Italy, and Egypt. Well-preserved fossils of its body show that it looked very similar to a modern-day-day Tiger Shark, and it’s inferred that it frequented shallow coastal waters and could swim at moderate speeds.
Cretodus. © Jason R. Abdale (September 5, 2025).
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Categories: Paleontology, Uncategorized
DINOSAURS AND BARBARIANS 
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