SHARK WEEK TOOTH DIG

In this quick and inexpensive tutorial, we’re going to show you how to make a Shark Week Tooth Dig excavation activity. These excavations are super easy to make, inexpensive, and are a great addition to enjoying the annual Shark Week shows. 

 

Be sure to check out our fun program to get free gift cards to spend in our store. Answer trivia and earn points you can redeem for free rocks, minerals, fossils, seashells, excavation kits and even fossilized shark teeth that are millions of years old!

 

Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Use a plastic toy shark if you do not have any shark teeth for this excavation activity. 

 

Materials:

Sand

Plaster of Paris

Water

Mixing Bowl

Wooden spoon

Measuring cups

Popsicle sticks – Popsicle sticks are inexpensive, readily available, and make great excavation tools.

Safety goggles or glasses – You we need to provide or borrow a set for each student.

Optional – Brushes and magnifying glasses.

Shark teeth - Collect these yourself or purchase some online. 

Altoids tin - These tins work great for this excavation activity and looks really cool.

Optional - Shark stickers to decorate the tin.

 

Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Shark Week Tooth Digs are a lot of fun for birthday parties and in class excavation activities. We also offer Shark Tooth Mini Digs kits that are inexpensive and are filled with real fossilized shark teeth. 

 

 

Check out our blog for more shark themed excavation activities and DIY dig kits. 

 

Directions:

 

  1. Place the shark teeth in the tin.
  2. Mix 1 cup sand with 1/3 cup Plaster of Paris.
  3. Add 1/3 cup of water and mix until you have a pancake batter consistency.
  4. Pour the mixture over the shark teeth.
  5. Fill the tin nearly to the rim. You will want to leave a little space so the lid will close once the excavation is dry. 
  6. Optional - Decorate the surface of the excavation with a little glitter. 
  7. Place the Shark Week Tooth Dig in front of a fan overnight until it is completely dry.
  8. Distribute the excavation, excavation tools, and safety goggles to your Excavating Adventurer and have fun watching them dig in and discover the awesome shark teeth you have hidden inside.

 

Shark Safari: Dive into the World of Fascinating Fish Predators!

Fun Facts about Sharks:

  1. Sharks are ancient creatures that have been swimming in the Earth's oceans for over 400 million years, even before dinosaurs roamed the land.

  2. There are over 500 different species of sharks, ranging in size from the tiny dwarf lanternshark, which is about the size of a human hand, to the massive whale shark, which can grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) in length.

  3. Contrary to popular belief, not all sharks are ferocious predators. Some species, like the gentle giant whale shark, feed on plankton and are considered filter feeders.

  4. Sharks have an incredible sense of smell, and some can detect a single drop of blood in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

  5. Their skin is covered in tooth-like scales called dermal denticles, which help reduce friction as they swim and make their skin feel rough to the touch.

  6. Sharks have multiple rows of teeth that they continually shed and replace throughout their lifetime. In some species, they can lose thousands of teeth in a lifetime.

  7. Great White Sharks are often portrayed as fearsome predators, but they have a curious nature and may sometimes investigate objects by bumping them with their snouts.

  8. Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems as top predators, regulating populations of prey species and keeping the ecosystem healthy.

  9. Some shark species, such as the bull shark, are capable of surviving in both saltwater and freshwater environments, allowing them to travel up rivers.

  10. Sharks have a specialized organ called the "ampullae of Lorenzini" that allows them to detect electrical fields produced by other animals, helping them locate prey.

  11. Sharks have a sixth sense called "lateral line" that allows them to detect vibrations in the water, helping them navigate and locate prey even in low light or murky conditions.

  12. Many sharks, including the Hammerhead Shark, have distinctively shaped heads called cephalofoils, which may help them with improved maneuverability and enhanced sensory perception.

Remember, sharks are extraordinary creatures that inspire awe and wonder, and learning about them helps us appreciate the diverse and fascinating life in our oceans!

 

Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Search through your recycle bin for fun cups, containers, and more to use as molds for DIY excavation activities. You may be surprised at the awesome excavations you can create with what you find!

 

Take some time to explore the Excavating Adventures website for subscriptions for kids, digs kits, deals, and more. We have monthly excavations that get delivered right to your door, Build Your Own excavations, a blog filled with amazing excavation ideas, trivia, tons of free stuff and much, much, more!

 

Question 1: What is the purpose of the "ampullae of Lorenzini" in sharks? A) Detecting electrical fields B) Enhancing vision C) Regulating buoyancy D) Aiding in reproduction

Correct answer: A) Detecting electrical fields

Question 2: Which shark species is considered a filter feeder? A) Great White Shark B) Tiger Shark C) Whale Shark D) Hammerhead Shark

Correct answer: C) Whale Shark

Question 3: What are the tooth-like scales that cover a shark's skin called? A) Dermatodes B) Placoid scales C) Serrated plates D) Exoskeletal denticles

Correct answer: B) Placoid scales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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