Crocodile teeth are fossilized remains typically found in fluvial or estuarine sedimentary deposits. They are easily identified by their conical shape, varying degrees of enamel preservation, and distinctive longitudinal striations along the crown.

Hardness

3-5

Mohs

Luster

Dull to Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

fossilcommon

Crocodile Tooth

Hardness: 3-5
Luster: Dull to Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this crocodile tooth?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch crocodile tooth with a known reference. Crocodile Tooth sits at Mohs 3-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Crocodile Tooth leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Crocodile Tooth typically shows a dull to waxy luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, tan, black, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: conical.

Often confused with

Crocodile Tooth vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Fossilized Shark Teeth

Mohs 3-5

How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to waxy on Crocodile Tooth and dull to vitreous on Fossilized Shark Teeth.

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Often found alongside crocodile tooth

Minerals reported to co-occur with crocodile tooth. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 3-5
Density: 2.5-3.0 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Tan Black Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Dull to Waxy
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Conical
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Educational
Host rock: Sedimentary Deposits
Typical price: $5-50 thumbnail

Where rockhounds find crocodile tooth

Classic worldwide localities

Morocco
USA (Florida)
USA (South Carolina)
Egypt

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where crocodile tooth typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, pyrite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a conical habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify crocodile tooth?+

Mohs hardness is 3-5. It typically shows a dull to waxy luster. The streak is white. Common colors include brown, tan, black, gray.

Where is crocodile tooth found?+

Notable localities include Morocco; USA (Florida); USA (South Carolina); Egypt.

How much is crocodile tooth worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 thumbnail. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like crocodile tooth?+

Crocodile Tooth is most often confused with Dinosaur Tooth, Fossilized Shark Teeth. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with crocodile tooth?+

Crocodile Tooth commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Pyrite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does crocodile tooth form in?+

Crocodile Tooth typically forms in sedimentary deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is crocodile tooth used for?+

Crocodile Tooth is used in collector, educational.

Find crocodile tooth on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.