While vacationing off the coast of Florida, Riggins Wehrli, 11, of Alliance, found an item straight from the history books: a megalodon tooth.
Megalodon is an extinct species of mackerel shark that swam through the oceans during the Early Miocene to the Pliocene period, millions of years ago. It is known as one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever lived.
Michelle Wehrli, Riggins’ mother, explained that the family was vacationing in Florida when they took a ferry to Egmont Key, an island located near St. Petersburg. The family prepared to go into the water, which is when Riggins made the discovery.
“I found it in the first five minutes,” said Riggins. “I dove down and saw what I thought was a rock, but it looked like a tooth. So, I showed my dad, and then he said it was a megalodon shark’s tooth.”
Riggins said his family wanted him to show them where he got the tooth, and he dropped it in the water.
“They were like, ‘No!’ But then I found it right away, because it was like buried,” Riggins said. “They couldn’t believe that I found it.”
Michelle explained that the captain had told them the area was notorious for shark teeth, but not a megalodon. Riggins showed the captain his find.
“He was so excited, he kissed it,” said Riggins. “I was really excited. I couldn’t believe I found it. This was the first time I’ve done anything like this.”
Riggins said he thinks he will put the tooth in a case and display it on his desk. Riggins said he wants to be an actor when he grows up, though Michelle noted his brother wants to become a marine biologist.
Michelle explained that she was not in the water when Riggins found the tooth. She said she was anticipating something small when she heard about the find.
The tooth is estimated to be approximately 15 million years old. Michelle explained that the family found a lot of interesting seashells during the trip, noting they brought back a suitcase filled with shells.
“It was very exciting, and to hear the captain say that it was a megalodon, and confirm it, and kiss it, and freak out, we were like, ‘woah, that’s pretty rare.’ Then to find out how old it actually is was pretty exciting,” said Michelle.