Why are there so many Fossils in Florida?

When is the best time of year to Fossil Hunt?

Where can I find Fossils?

What equipment will I need to Fossil Hunt?

Will I see an alligator while I Fossil Hunt?

Can I keep ANYTHING I find?

Along the beach, you just look down, where the surf is washing things onto the beach.  You may benefit from using what is called a Florida "snow shovel."  It is a specially shaped metal wire basket on the end of a pole.  How it is used will be obvious once you see it.

Fossil hunting in rivers, you can occasionally find nice fossils along the rivers edge, exposed as the water level goes down.  Much of Florida's river banks though have dense plant/tree growth right up to the edge of the water.  To consistently find fossils, you'll need to get into the river and get your feet wet, because fossils tend to be washed to the center of the river.  Much of the riverbed, during the dry season, lies just 1-3 feet below the water's surface.  The basic premise is to separate the fossils from everything else.

First, you use the water and specially designed equipment to wash out the sand, dirt and very small debris.  Then you use your trained eye to spot the fossils among the river rocks.  Most people use a simple "screen box."  Thousands of hours of experience have contributed to a floating, two-tier design that we manufacture, sell and rent.  Our unique design allows you to spot fossils more easily and allows you to work 2-3 times as fast as a typical "screen box" (thus go through 2-3 times as much material).  You can bring your own shovel though.  It should be strong, long-handled and have a pointed blade (like Florida Jones is using in the animation above-left).

Also, fossils can be found by snorkeling or diving, using a technique called "fanning."  Come visit and we'll show you how.  It's not for the faint-hearted though, if you have a phobia about gators.

There are other important things to bring that you might not think of.  Be sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat (like Florida Jones has).  Cords for tying it under your chin might be useful also, when the occasional air-boat comes by.  Also bring sunscreen, unless you want to go home with a tourist tan (sunburn).  The best shoes to wear are neoprene diving boots, which can be found at any dive shop for about the price of a pair of tennis shoes.  Old tennis shoes will work, but the dive boots have high, tight ankles, which will be more comfortable and keep the sand out better.  Inexpensive aqua-socks, found at discount department stores, provide less protection and support, and are often torn-up by the end of a day of fossil hunting.  Wear cloths that you don't mind getting wet and dirty.  And if you are fossil hunting in the winter, you might want a dry towel for when you get out of the water.  If you arrive in January or February you may want to use a thin wet-suit ("skin"), though it may restrict movement more than you want.

You'll dehydrate quicker than you might think, so bring water (caffeine worsens dehydration).  Take breaks often and bring snacks.  Fossil hunting is actually hard work, but it's so fun you may not notice until you're exhausted.  Taking breaks is especially difficult, because fossil hunting is like gambling.  That next pull of the slot machine handle (or that next shovel-full of debris) may be the one that pays off - that big megalodon shark tooth or canine tooth from a saber-tooth cat.  I recommend having firm plans about when you'll leave the river and sticking to it.  It's easy to say, "Just one more scoop."  Late in the day though, is when the weather often turns bad (lightning is nothing to toy with) and evening is when the alligators are more active.  You don't want to meet up with one that is especially hungry or happens to be near-sighted.  Be smart - be safe.