This massive fossilized shark tooth was found at Cape Lookout National Seashore on July 23/NPS

Will a massive shark tooth spur a throng of beachcombers to Cape Lookout National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina? Time will tell, but when you look at the size of that fossilized tooth, you can understand why it might create a stampede to the seashore.

According to seashore staff, last Sunday a mother and son found the gigantic tooth on the beach during a beachcombing excursion.

"While we are not known for shark teeth on our beach, every once in a while they do show up, much to the delight of the finder," the staff said. "This tooth is an even rarer find. It belonged to a now-extinct shark species known as a Megalodon. If this is just one of its teeth, can you imagine how large the living animal was? (Scientists estimate that megalodon sharks were at least twice the size of today's Great White Sharks)"

Ancient shark teeth are considered historical artifacts and must be turned over to the National Park Service if found at Cape Lookout or Cape Hatteras national seashores, officials said.