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Story: Fossils

Shark teeth

In this film footage from the Chatham Islands, the teeth of a great white shark are compared with those of a giant shark that lived from 25 to 1.6 million years ago. Because sharks’ skeletons are made of cartilage, they do not preserve well and only the teeth remain as fossils.

About this item

Natural History New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Hamish Campbell. 'Fossils', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/fossils/4/5