Mantelliceras Ammonite Fossil Specimen from the Cretaceous period, found in Morocco
Ammonites are among the most iconic and widely recognized fossils, instantly identifiable by their distinctive spiral-shaped shells. At first glance, their coiled form might remind you of a snail’s shell, but despite the resemblance, ammonites are not related to snails at all.
These extinct marine creatures lived between 240 and 65 million years ago, thriving in ancient oceans during the time of the dinosaurs. Their closest living relatives aren't snails, but rather coleoid cephalopods — a group that includes octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish.
Although ammonites shared a superficial similarity to the modern nautilus — with their chambered, coiled shells — their internal anatomy and evolutionary lineage places them closer to the soft-bodied coleoids. They were fast-swimming predators or scavengers, using tentacles to catch prey, and their buoyant, gas-filled shells helped them move through the water column.
Today, ammonite fossils are not only scientifically valuable but also admired for their aesthetic appeal, often displaying beautiful mineralization, iridescence, or intricate suture patterns where their shell chambers met.
12 x 11 cm
All items are sensitively and minimally cleaned
Any questions please don't hesitate to drop me a message. I am very happy to pass on any additional information, or images you may need, if you are interested in more than one item I can arrange a combined postage price. Many thanks.
All items will be packaged using recycled or reused materials to help minimise any environmental impact.
Please be aware that you are purchasing a vintage item. We mention any obvious defects to the glass such as chips, cracks, etc. in our description but there may also be minor manufacturing faults eg. marks from the mould, straw marks and air bubbles, which is normal for glass of this era.
Just a quick note to all our American customers, we are up to speed on all the new import tariff changes, please feel confident with continuing to order from us, with Royal Mail any excess tariff charges are paid at point of purchase, this insures our customers have no nasty customs costs, we are here to answering any questions you may have, thank you, Kirsty
Ammonites are among the most iconic and widely recognized fossils, instantly identifiable by their distinctive spiral-shaped shells. At first glance, their coiled form might remind you of a snail’s shell, but despite the resemblance, ammonites are not related to snails at all.
These extinct marine creatures lived between 240 and 65 million years ago, thriving in ancient oceans during the time of the dinosaurs. Their closest living relatives aren't snails, but rather coleoid cephalopods — a group that includes octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish.
Although ammonites shared a superficial similarity to the modern nautilus — with their chambered, coiled shells — their internal anatomy and evolutionary lineage places them closer to the soft-bodied coleoids. They were fast-swimming predators or scavengers, using tentacles to catch prey, and their buoyant, gas-filled shells helped them move through the water column.
Today, ammonite fossils are not only scientifically valuable but also admired for their aesthetic appeal, often displaying beautiful mineralization, iridescence, or intricate suture patterns where their shell chambers met.
12 x 11 cm
All items are sensitively and minimally cleaned
Any questions please don't hesitate to drop me a message. I am very happy to pass on any additional information, or images you may need, if you are interested in more than one item I can arrange a combined postage price. Many thanks.
All items will be packaged using recycled or reused materials to help minimise any environmental impact.
Please be aware that you are purchasing a vintage item. We mention any obvious defects to the glass such as chips, cracks, etc. in our description but there may also be minor manufacturing faults eg. marks from the mould, straw marks and air bubbles, which is normal for glass of this era.
Just a quick note to all our American customers, we are up to speed on all the new import tariff changes, please feel confident with continuing to order from us, with Royal Mail any excess tariff charges are paid at point of purchase, this insures our customers have no nasty customs costs, we are here to answering any questions you may have, thank you, Kirsty