Žraločí zuby

Žraločí zuby ("Shark Teeth") is a small nature reserve (přírodní památka) located in the eastern part of Kladno, within the Vrapice forest, on a gentle rise above the right bank of the Dřetovický stream. It sits roughly three-quarters of a kilometer southwest of the Church of St. Nicholas in Vrapice. Despite its modest size, the site carries scientific significance that reaches far beyond its local setting, preserving traces of a prehistoric sea that once covered this part of Bohemia.

What can be found at this site?

The reserve occupies a small, abandoned quarry that once extracted buližník (a type of hard silicified rock). Within its exposed rock, paleontologists have discovered fossilized remains of marine organisms dating back to the Cretaceous period, part of the Mesozoic era. The most notable and characteristic finds are teeth and vertebrae belonging to at least 12 different shark species — which is precisely where the site gets its name. Alongside these shark remains, the rock has also preserved fossils of foraminifera, mollusks (snails and bivalves), echinoderms including starfish, and marine sponges.

The presence of such a diverse assemblage of marine fauna indicates that the area now occupied by Kladno once lay beneath a warm, shallow sea during the Cretaceous period — a sea inhabited by everything from tiny foraminifera to predatory sharks. Today, these fossils serve as important research material for paleontologists reconstructing the geological history of the Central Bohemian region.

When and why was the protected area established?

Protection of the site was first declared in 1995, primarily due to its unique geological and paleontological value. The protected area was later expanded somewhat, and its current boundaries date from a 2008 redefinition. The site formally holds the status of přírodní památka (natural monument) and forms part of the Czech Republic's system of small-scale protected areas.

Where exactly is this site located?

Žraločí zuby lies in the Central Bohemian Region, within the administrative boundaries of the statutory city of Kladno, specifically in its eastern section, in the area of the Vrapice forest. The site's geographic coordinates are approximately 50.1639°N, 14.1611°E. Access to the reserve runs through the forest, not far from the built-up part of Vrapice.

Why is Žraločí zuby worth visiting?

The site appeals mainly to visitors interested in geology, paleontology, and the natural history of the region. Though small, the abandoned quarry offers a rare chance to see firsthand the preserved traces of prehistoric marine life embedded in rock — something usually associated with distant coastlines or museum display cases, rather than a forest near industrial Kladno. For local residents and school groups, it is also a popular destination for nature-study field trips and natural history lessons, offering a tangible, hands-on encounter with deep geological time close to home.

Frequently asked questions

What are the "shark teeth" this site is named after? The name refers to fossilized teeth and vertebrae from at least 12 different shark species found in the rock of the abandoned quarry.

When was protection of this area established? Protection was first declared in 1995, with the boundaries expanded and redefined in 2008.

What is the protection status of this site? The site holds the status of přírodní památka (natural monument), a small-scale nature protection category used in the Czech Republic.

What other fossils can be found here besides shark teeth? Besides shark teeth and vertebrae, the rock has preserved fossils of foraminifera, mollusks, echinoderms (including starfish), and marine sponges.

Where exactly is Žraločí zuby located? The reserve lies in the eastern part of Kladno, within the Vrapice forest, about three-quarters of a kilometer southwest of the Church of St. Nicholas in Vrapice, in the Central Bohemian Region.