Pennsylvania family makes prehistoric discovery while searching for seashells on the Jersey Shore

The megalodon was an enormous prehistoric shark that lived in the world’s oceans millions of years ago before going extinct approximately 3.6 million years ago.

THE TAKEAWAY

  • A Pennsylvania family found a rare fossilized megalodon tooth on a New Jersey beach.
  • Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center said it was a once-in-a-lifetime find.
  • The megalodon was an enormous prehistoric shark that lived in the world’s oceans millions of years ago.

A Pennsylvania family stumbled upon a rare find while shelling on the beach in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.

The Bowers family was searching for shells when they discovered a fossilized megalodon tooth.

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According to local news outlets, the family noticed something unusual during their outing.

"As I pulled a shell out of the one rock, there was a hole in the rock," Mike Bowers said. "I looked down, and I was just astonished, but I couldn’t fit my hand in there. So, of course, I’m screaming like a crazy man for my son Bo to come running over because of his small hand. And what did you see?" he added while holding up the tooth.

The family later took the fossil to an expert who works with the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, where it was confirmed to be a megalodon tooth.

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The organization said the discovery was a once-in-a-lifetime find.

The megalodon was an enormous prehistoric shark that lived in the world’s oceans millions of years ago before going extinct approximately 3.6 million years ago.

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Scientists estimate that some megalodons may have reached around 60 feet in length, making them one of the largest predatory sharks known to have ever lived.