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5.3" Jurassic Ammonite (Hildoceras?) Fossil - Morocco
This is a 5.3" wide ammonite from jebel Bou Rharraf in Talsint, Morocco. The ammonite comes from a Lower Jurassic-aged deposit and would be approximately 180 million years old. This specimen is part of a newly discovered deposit which has produced a variety of ammonite species to date.
This ammonite has yet to be described, though its characteristics suggest its from the family Hildoceratidae. This family of ammonites is characterized by "a narrow discoidal evolute shape, a keeled venter, concave ribs along the outer flanks, and a shallow spiral groove running along smooth inner flanks. The whorls slightly overlap and their cross sections are compressed. The ventral keel is bordered on either side by a shallow groove." All of this can be seen in most of the well preserved specimens, and parts of these characteristics can be seen in the specimens with lesser preservation quality. Because of this we have left the genus Hildoceras with a question mark and no species.
Comes with an acrylic display stand.
This ammonite has yet to be described, though its characteristics suggest its from the family Hildoceratidae. This family of ammonites is characterized by "a narrow discoidal evolute shape, a keeled venter, concave ribs along the outer flanks, and a shallow spiral groove running along smooth inner flanks. The whorls slightly overlap and their cross sections are compressed. The ventral keel is bordered on either side by a shallow groove." All of this can be seen in most of the well preserved specimens, and parts of these characteristics can be seen in the specimens with lesser preservation quality. Because of this we have left the genus Hildoceras with a question mark and no species.
Comes with an acrylic display stand.
About Ammonites
Ammonites were ancient marine cephalopods, similar to today's squids and octopuses, but with a defining feature: their distinctive, tightly coiled spiral shells. These shells, resembling those of modern nautiluses, served as both a protective home and a buoyancy aid, allowing ammonites to navigate the prehistoric seas with ease. First emerging around 240 million years ago in the Triassic Period, ammonites thrived for over 175 million years, adapting through numerous forms and sizes. As predatory creatures, they likely fed on smaller marine organisms, using their tentacles to capture prey. However, their long reign came to an end 65 million years ago at the close of the Cretaceous, coinciding with the mass extinction event that also eliminated the dinosaurs.
What an ammonite would have looked like while alive.
Ammonites were ancient marine cephalopods, similar to today's squids and octopuses, but with a defining feature: their distinctive, tightly coiled spiral shells. These shells, resembling those of modern nautiluses, served as both a protective home and a buoyancy aid, allowing ammonites to navigate the prehistoric seas with ease. First emerging around 240 million years ago in the Triassic Period, ammonites thrived for over 175 million years, adapting through numerous forms and sizes. As predatory creatures, they likely fed on smaller marine organisms, using their tentacles to capture prey. However, their long reign came to an end 65 million years ago at the close of the Cretaceous, coinciding with the mass extinction event that also eliminated the dinosaurs.
What an ammonite would have looked like while alive.
SPECIES
Hildoceras?
LOCATION
Talsint, Jebel Bou Rharraf, Morocco
SIZE
5.3" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#289722
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