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SABER TOOTHED HERRING
Enchodus gladiolus
(Cope)
Encohdus ferox (Leidy)
Age Cretaceous - Occurrence Less Common
Three different species of Enchodus
have been reported from the Monmouth County area;
Enchodus petrosus (Cope)
Enchodus gladiolus (Cope)
Enchodus ferox (Leidy)
Of the three species of Enchodus found in Monmouth County, E.
petrosus is the most common and is described in more detail on a
separate page. E. gladiolus
is a relatively common find with E. ferox being uncommon*.
The palatine teeth of E. gladiolus and E. ferox differ from E.
petrosus in that they have a slight “S” shape with striations and a
barb at the tip. E. ferox has very fine serrations on the cutting
edge which are easily missed. These teeth average between 1/2 - 1
inch in length.
* The commonality of E. ferox is uncertain. The serrations are
extremely fine and very prone to stream wear.
The ‘S’ shape and striations of E. gladiolus.
The barb on some larger teeth can be difficult to see.
Most teeth
will show a slight color difference between the tooth and the barb.
The very fine serrations of
E. ferox
are easy to miss.
E. gladiolus
The striations and barb are clearly discernable in this picture
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