Molly Sampson, a curious and adventurous nine-year-old from Prince Frederick, Maryland, had the find of a lifetime during her holiday break. While enjoying a leisurely stroll on Calvert Beach on Christmas morning, Molly stumbled upon something truly remarkable.
Molly inherited her love for fossils from her dad and is especially fascinated by shark teeth. “They’re just cool because they’re really old,” she says with excitement. Her hobby of treasure hunting along Maryland’s beaches has already resulted in an impressive collection of over 400 fossilized shark teeth.
However, Molly’s recent discovery surpassed all expectations. News of her incredible find quickly went viral. The young paleontologist-in-the-making unearthed an enormous, 5-inch-long tooth belonging to a megalodon, the largest shark to have ever roamed the Earth’s oceans.
Thrilled by her discovery, Molly and her family brought the massive tooth to Stephen Godfrey, a curator of paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons. Confirming Molly’s suspicion, Dr. Godfrey explained to her and her family that the tooth indeed belonged to a megalodon. To put the sheer size of the shark into perspective, he told Molly that the creature would have been as massive as a Greyhound bus. Fascinated, Molly promptly looked up the dimensions and was astounded.
Recalling the moment she spotted the tooth, Molly told NPR, “I went closer, and in my head, I was like, ‘Oh my, that is the biggest tooth I’ve ever seen!’” With excitement bubbling over, Molly reached in and grabbed the tooth, causing her dad to describe her reaction as a joyous and enthusiastic shriek.
Dr. Godfrey further elaborated on the tooth and its origins. The tooth, hailing from the upper left jaw of a megalodon, dates back around 15 million years. This enormous prehistoric predator, spanning an astonishing 45 to 50 feet in length, evolved its teeth for cutting rather than swallowing prey whole, similar to how great white sharks hunt.
The megalodon’s name translates to “giant tooth” in Greek, fittingly descriptive of the impressive size of the tooth Molly discovered. To put it into perspective, the tooth measured the length of Molly’s hand, showcasing the immense proportions of this ancient underwater behemoth.
As Molly’s incredible story continues to captivate audiences around the world, her family has seized the opportunity to encourage young children, like their daughter, to spend more time immersed in nature. “We really want to reach other kids and get them excited about being outside,” Molly’s mom, Alicia, explained.
Molly’s extraordinary discovery serves as a powerful reminder of the wonders awaiting those who venture outdoors. It’s a testament to the endless surprises nature has in store and the immense joy that can be found in exploring the world around us. So, next time you’re outdoors, keep your eyes open, for you never know what remarkable find awaits you, just like Molly Sampson’s incredible megalodon tooth.
