Little Snaggeltooth
Hemipristis curvatus(?) (Dames)

Age - Eocene - Commonality - Less common

The fossil teeth of Hemipristis curvatus get their nick name “Little Snaggeltooth” from the fact that they appeared to be just a smaller version of the more common Hemipristis serra.  Besides size, the difference between these two species is relatively minor. H. curvatus tooth sizes ranges from ½ to ¾’s of an inch.  On the upper teeth the serrations on the mesial cutting edge may be completely lacking, at best these are weak and irregular. The crown on the lower teeth is robust with serrations only at the base of the crown. 

Note: The identification of this species as present in NJ is questionable but will remain on the website as reference.
 

Pair of Hemipristis curvatus.
Monmouth County, NJ.
 

Serrations on the mesial cutting edge may be completely lacking.
 

Left - Serrations of the more common Hemipristis serra compared
to H. curvatus (right).

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