✅ SOLVED Large Whale (?) Tooth found in Banderas Bay, Mexico

[owleyes]

Hi everyone! Two weeks ago I was in Puerto Vallarta and came across this tooth on a small beach--it's got its roots and everything! Just trying to ID what whale/animal it came from--I read that the area sometimes has orcas and outside of the bay the occasional sperm whale. I've never seen a whale tooth with it's roots, normally on TNet they look hollow? There are also bottlenose and spotted dolphins in the bay (but imo I think it's too large to be from one of them).

Also, as far as cleaning and preserving the tooth--what is the best method? Because even after giving it a brief wash and rinse with dish soap at the hotel and letting it air dry for 2 weeks, it still stinks of fish.





If anyone has any idea, please let me know!

 

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[Crispin]

Cut it in half so that we have both longitudinal and saggital sections. Right now it looks like a misshapen coconut.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

This is an Orca's tooth in a cutaway the shape mirrors yours it just isn't as worn as yours.The root area you speak of is actually a hollow area that has worn down.

 

[owleyes]

This is an Orca's tooth in a cutaway the shape mirrors yours it just isn't as worn as yours.The root area you speak of is actually a hollow area that has worn down.View attachment 1182975

Wow thank you back-of-the-boat!! And I thought the tooth was 'big' to begin with, couldn't imagine how I would have felt finding it in an unworn state.

 

[owleyes]

Cut it in half so that we have both longitudinal and saggital sections. Right now it looks like a misshapen coconut.

Haha, thanks but it looks like I won't have to cut into it