Mosasaur teeth are conical fossils from large prehistoric marine reptiles, often found preserved in phosphate-rich sedimentary deposits. They are typically identified by their striated enamel, curved shape, and the presence of a distinct root that may be partially mineralized.

Hardness

3-5

Mohs

Luster

Dull to Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

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Mosasaur Tooth

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

Is this mosasaur 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 mosasaur tooth with a known reference. Mosasaur 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. Mosasaur Tooth leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Mosasaur Tooth typically shows a dull to vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, brown, tan, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: conical.

Often confused with

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

fossil

Crocodile Tooth

Mohs 3-5

How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to vitreous on Mosasaur Tooth and dull to waxy on Crocodile Tooth.

Compare →

fossil

Fossilized Shark Teeth

Mohs 3-5

Compare →

Often found alongside mosasaur tooth

Minerals reported to co-occur with mosasaur 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: Black Brown Tan Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Dull to Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Conical
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Educational
Host rock: Marine Sedimentary Rocks
Typical price: $5-50 thumbnail/specimen

Where rockhounds find mosasaur tooth

Classic worldwide localities

Morocco
USA (Kansas)
USA (Alabama)
Jordan

Field-hunting tip

Look in marine sedimentary rocks country, the host setting where mosasaur tooth typically forms. If you start seeing phosphate, calcite, pyrite 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 mosasaur tooth?+

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

Where is mosasaur tooth found?+

Notable localities include Morocco; USA (Kansas); USA (Alabama); Jordan.

How much is mosasaur tooth worth?+

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

What rocks look like mosasaur tooth?+

Mosasaur Tooth is most often confused with Crocodile 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 mosasaur tooth?+

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

What kind of rock does mosasaur tooth form in?+

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

What is mosasaur tooth used for?+

Mosasaur Tooth is used in collector, educational.

Find mosasaur tooth on the map

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