Helicoprion is a genus of extinct shark-like [1] eugeneodont fish. Almost all fossil specimens are of spirally arranged clusters of the individuals' teeth, called "tooth whorls", which in life were embedded in the lower jaw.

This fascinating creature swam the prehistoric oceans during the late Carboniferous to the early Permian, about 290 million years ago. The most defining and striking feature of the Helicoprion is undoubtedly its tooth whorl—a spiral arrangement of teeth that resembles a buzz saw.

Terrorizing the seas nearly 300 million years ago, the Helicoprion was a bizarre species of shark that sported one of the craziest sets of teeth in natural history. This unusual feature has been the subject of widespread debate in the scientific community for a century, and it’s easy to see why.

Feb 2, 2016 · Nicknamed the "buzzsaw shark," this 270 million-year-old creature is actually an extinct relative of the ratfish called a Helicoprion. Its bizarre tooth arrangement has confused...

Feb 26, 2013 · Helicoprion was not a buzzsaw predecessor to great white or tiger sharks. The fish belonged to the lineage one branch over, near the evolutionary split where the ancestors of living sharks...

Mar 1, 2025 · The Helicoprion, often dubbed the “buzzsaw shark,” is one of paleontology’s most fascinating enigmas. Its distinctive feature, a spiral of teeth known as a tooth whorl , has captured the imagination of scientists and enthusiasts alike for over a century.

Helicoprion is an extinct prehistoric shark that lived approximately 290 million years ago. What makes this ancient creature unique is its bizarre, buzz-saw-like jaw. Unlike modern-day sharks that have rows of teeth, Helicoprion had a single spiral …

Today we’re talking about the extinct, shark-like fish with a buzz saw on it's face - the Helicoprion. ...more.

Feb 22, 2025 · Helicoprion, the “buzz saw shark,” was indeed a real creature, though it’s long extinct. Its unique tooth whorl and its status as a major predator during the Permian-Triassic period make it a truly remarkable specimen in the world of paleontology.

Mar 4, 2025 · The term “buzz shark” typically refers to Helicoprion, a fascinating and bizarre extinct genus of fish that roamed the oceans during the late Paleozoic Era, specifically from about 290 to 250 million years ago.