Illustrated are lateral views of whale shark teeth ascribed to the extant species Rhincodon typus. This species has hundreds of tooth rows of undifferentiated, minute teeth lining its mouth. The roots are bi-lobate, but this is only evident under magnification. Whale shark teeth are found primarily in the Pungo River, although specimens from the Yorktown are possible.

Teeth of this animal are found primarily by fine screening of the waste piles. This waste material can most readily be accessed by collecting samples used as roadfill.

Fig. 1 - R. typus, lateral view largest specimen 6 mm in height. Pungo River specimens. image by Bill Heim © 1997