According to the report, the family, Dave and Ellie and their two sons, Charlie and Tucker, were walking along the beach on their first day in Costa Rica when Tucker spotted something unusual near the waterline.

The family's last name was not released.

At first, they believed Tucker had found an ordinary shark tooth. After taking a closer look, however, they realized it was a tooth from a megalodon, the report said.

The prehistoric predator belonged to the extinct family Otodontidae, which diverged from the lineage of the modern great white shark during the Early Cretaceous period.

Scientists estimate the megalodon reached lengths of about 47 to 80 feet. Its thick, robust teeth were adapted for gripping prey and crushing bone, while its massive jaws generated an estimated bite force of 24,390 to 40,960 pounds.

Tucker's mother, Ellie, told the news source website that her son has long been fascinated by sharks.


"He has shark books, shark things all over his room, and he's always been fascinated by them," she said.

According to the report, the family returned to Atlanta after a weeklong vacation in Costa Rica and took the megalodon tooth home with them.

"It now sits proudly on their kitchen counter at home, where Tucker continues to pick it up, admire it, and show anyone who visits," the report said.

The family's visit this year marked their second trip to Costa Rica. They also vacationed in Santa Teresa Beach in 2021.

Editor's note: AM Costa Rica acknowledges that the original report on the discovery of a prehistoric megalodon shark tooth by a family visiting Santa Teresa Beach was first published by Santa Teresa Dirt Road in its article, "A Family Adventure in Costa Rica: The Boy Who Found a Prehistoric Treasure on Santa Teresa Beach," on July 30, 2026. AM Costa Rica credited Santa Teresa Dirt Road as the source of the report and acknowledged the photographs provided by the publication. We remain committed to responsible journalism and proper attribution.