One of the most popular and unique experiences visitors can have in Venice, Fl is hunting for shark teeth. To find them, you need to know where to look and how to search for them. Learn more about this activity and discover how you can find shark teeth in Venice Beach, Fl.
History
So, how did all these shark teeth make their way to the beaches of Venice Beach, FL? It dates back ten million years ago when the state of Florida was submerged underwater and the area was filled with sharks. Over time as water diminished, the prehistoric sharks died off, leaving their fossilized teeth behind. The coastal area in which Venice sits contains a fossil layer that expands up to 35 feet deep. That’s a lot of shark teeth!
Why are there so many shark teeth?
Sharks produce up to 25,000 teeth over their lifetime. Over the span of their life, they lose their teeth and eventually wash up on shore and become fossilized over time.
Where to find shark teeth in Venice Beach, FL
Collectors say that the best place to find shark teeth in Venice Beach, FL are at any of the beach access points south of the Venice Jetty. Casey Key and Manasota Key are great places to start. But the best place to begin your hunt is at the Venice Fishing Pier at Brohard Park.
How to find shark teeth in Venice Beach, FL
You might be able to find shark teeth in Venice Beach just by taking a stroll along on the sandy shoreline, but for those who want to find some fast, there are certain techniques to use. By walking to where the waves break, reach down to the edge and wade a few feet into the water and scoop up shells and sand. Tools to use include a shovel, strainer, or simply scoop with your hands. Keep your eyes peeled as you will come across other treasures such as bits of coral, shells, or small pebbles.
What can you find?
While the majority of fossils found on Venice Beach are shark teeth, other fossils can be found as well. Keep your eye out for whale jaw-bone, Mako, Megalodon, Dugong Rib fragments.
Attend the Shark Tooth Festival
To celebrate this unique activity, the town of Venice hosts the annual Shark Tooth Festival. The festival highlights fossil collectors from the southeast who showcase and sell shark’s teeth and other fossils. Typically held on the first weekend of April, it is a fun event to mark your calendars for.
Enjoy this event and other activities during your vacation to Venice Beach when you stay at Venice Beach Villas. Located just a short walk from Venice Public Beach and the quaint historic downtown, Venice Beach Villas provide the perfect location for enjoying all the area has to offer. Choose from efficiencies and studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommodations – all complete with kitchens and comfortable living areas.
