This ammonite specimen comes from the Fox Hills formation in South Dakota during the Cretaceous period when the area was submerged by the Western Interior Seaway millions of years ago. They are typically preserved in hard concretions that must be carefully removed. This fossil shows the ammonite partially within its matrix, with the outer rough nicely broken away to create its own natural display stand. The ammonite has nicely preserved ridges and a mix of stony gray and tan pearly shell, with light red iridescence.
Approx. 2.25" x 2.5" x 2"
8.3oz (236g)
Discoscaphites conradi
Ammonites are prehistoric nautilus related to the modern day nautilus, squid, and octopus family. These squid-like creatures lived in the sea between 65 - 415 millions years ago. Ammonites are called cephalopods because their heads and tentacles protruded out of the same opening; they grew by building larger chambers on their shells. Some species have been found at almost 6 feet in diameter, but they may have reached up to 9 feet!