Shark Tooth Hunting Like a Pro

I feel like this post should be called "Surviving the Quaretninte with Kids: Day Number 4237" 

Have you been struggling to find ideas to keep the kids busy now that quarantine has morphed into summer vacation? As a working mother of four, I know that I have! With new cases of Covid 19 at an all-time high, I find myself balancing the need for continued social distancing with the reality of kids literally climbing the walls of my house!! Enter our new favorite activity: shark tooth hunting!! I'll admit, as someone who is relatively new to coastal living, I had no idea what a big deal this is! A quick trip to the interwebs led me to scores of resources, from the uber-geeky to the absolutely hilarious! 

For example, did you know that there are over 40 different types of sharks living in South Carolina waters? That certainly leads to some diverse hunting opportunities!

Below are a few tips to ensure success when you head out on your next shark tooth hunting adventure.

1. Pick a good location: We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood that has an 80-acre spoil island as its chief amenity. When the Army Corps of Engineers dredges the Intercoastal Waterway, they deposit all of the sand into mounds on the Grimball Gates community island. The result is pile after pile of sand to dig through. If you don't have access to such a site, don't be discouraged! There are plenty of incredible spots that are open to public access. Some of the most amazing finds that I've seen documented were found on Folly Beach. There's also an area in Summerville that is known to be a repository for Megladon teeth!! (Let me know in the comments below if you have checked it out.) A sure way to find the hotspots is to join one of the local Facebook groups such as https://www.facebook.com/groups/620128461360059

2. Have the right tools: After a lot of trial and error, I have come to the conclusion that there are a few essentials that make hunting more pleasurable. A large mesh wire sieve (we bought a minnow trap from Walmart that seems to work well), a shovel for digging down into piles of sand where larger teeth tend to settle, and Ziploc bags labeled with each hunter's name. 

If you want to purchase a premade sifter, this one looks amazing:https://sharktoothsifter.com/

And here is a link to a DIY one for all of you crafters out there: https://www.crazydiymom.com/sifter.html

3. Don't forget the essentials: Always remember to pack lots of snacks, water, and sunscreen. Nothing is more inconvenient than having to break up a successful hunt because someone is hangry and having a meltdown!

If you only have a small window of time and want to guarantee a successful outing or to impress out of town guests, you may want to book an adventure with https://www.chsfossiladventures.com/ They have temporarily stopped booking adventures due to COVID 19, but you can follow them on social media to be the first to know when they resume.

Happy hunting, friends! Please comment below with any tips or tricks you have discovered!