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20" Giant, Jurassic Ammonite (Kranosphinctes) Fossil - Madagascar
This is a giant, 20" wide ammonite (Kranosphinctes?) fossil from Madagascar. It is Late Jurassic in age and it was collected near Sakaraha in the Tulear Province of Madagascar. It's a real beast, weighing in at over 85 lbs. There is some repair and gap fill restoration, as is the case with most of the larger ammonites that are fractured by geological forces while still in the ground. The surface of the ammonite has been lightly polished.
A metal display stand will accompany your purchase.
A metal display stand will accompany your purchase.
About Ammonites
Ammonites were predatory, marine mollusks that thrived during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, particularly in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, before going extinct around 66 million years ago. These creatures are characterized by their coiled, spiral shells, which resemble the modern-day nautilus. Ammonite shells were divided into chambers; as they grew, they built new chambers and sealed off the old ones. These chambers were filled with gas, which helped them control buoyancy in the ocean.
The outer shell of ammonites often displays intricate ribbed or ridged patterns and their fossils sometimes show a wide range of beautiful colors due to mineralization over time. The shells fossilized well, making ammonites abundant in the fossil record.. In addition to being popular in fossil collections, ammonites are valuable in geological studies, as they serve as index fossils, helping scientists date rock layers and understand the Earth's prehistoric environments.
Artist's reconstruction of an ammonite, by Nobu Tamura
Ammonites were predatory, marine mollusks that thrived during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, particularly in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, before going extinct around 66 million years ago. These creatures are characterized by their coiled, spiral shells, which resemble the modern-day nautilus. Ammonite shells were divided into chambers; as they grew, they built new chambers and sealed off the old ones. These chambers were filled with gas, which helped them control buoyancy in the ocean.
The outer shell of ammonites often displays intricate ribbed or ridged patterns and their fossils sometimes show a wide range of beautiful colors due to mineralization over time. The shells fossilized well, making ammonites abundant in the fossil record.. In addition to being popular in fossil collections, ammonites are valuable in geological studies, as they serve as index fossils, helping scientists date rock layers and understand the Earth's prehistoric environments.
Artist's reconstruction of an ammonite, by Nobu Tamura
SPECIES
Kranosphinctes sp.?
LOCATION
Near Sakaraha, Tulear Province, Madagascar
SIZE
20" wide, 60 lbs
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#279779
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