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.

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

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fossil

Fossilized Shark Teeth

Mohs 3-5

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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 — that is 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.