A 9-year-old Maryland girl, Molly Sampson, made a remarkable discovery on Christmas morning when she unearthed a 15-million-year-old megalodon tooth along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Equipped with new waders and fossil sifters she received as gifts, Molly and her sister ventured out to Calvert Cliffs, a renowned fossil site in Calvert County. Within just 30 minutes, Molly spotted a large object in the shallow water. Upon retrieving it, she realized it was the largest tooth she had ever seen, prompting excitement and astonishment.

The tooth, measuring approximately 5 inches in length, was confirmed by experts at the Calvert Marine Museum to belong to an Otodus megalodon, a prehistoric shark species that lived around 15 million years ago. Stephen Godfrey, the museum’s curator of paleontology, described it as a “spectacular specimen” and noted that such large megalodon teeth are rare finds in the region. The megalodon was an apex predator, estimated to grow up to 50 feet long, preying on whales and dolphins with its serrated teeth designed for slicing through flesh.

Molly’s passion for fossil hunting was inspired by her father, who has been exploring the Calvert Cliffs since childhood. Despite his extensive experience, he had never discovered a tooth as large as Molly’s find. With a collection of over 400 shark teeth, Molly aspires to become a paleontologist. Her extraordinary discovery has not only added a significant piece to her collection but has also inspired many young enthusiasts to explore the natural world and consider careers in science.