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Fossil Ammonite Cluster - South Dakota
This is an ammonite (Hoploscaphities) cluster from the Fox Hills Formation of South Dakota. It's been wonderfully prepared on the hard concretion it was found in. It contains eight ammonites; four H. nicolletti, the largest being 2.1", ones H. spedeni, the largest 2.7" and three H. comprimus largest 1.4". The total height of this cluster is 4.2" In addition to the ammonites, there are a number of fragments and shells still partially concealed in the stone. The ammonites are iridescent and stand out nicely against the dark stone.
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
Hoploscaphities nicolletii, Hoploscaphites spedeni, Hoploscaphites comprimus
LOCATION
South Dakota
FORMATION
Fox Hills Formation
SIZE
2.1" largest H. nicolletti, 2.7" largest H. spedeni, 1.3" H. comprimus, 4.2" tall
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#115077
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