This Specimen has been sold.
2.8" Iridescent Hoploscaphites Ammonite Fossil - South Dakota
This is a ribbed, 2.8" Hoploscaphities ammonite specimen collected from the Fox Hills Formation of South Dakota. The ammonite is in excellent condition, considering the difficulty (and time required) to remove it from the rock. The shell has a flashy iridescence that enhances the natural texture and white coloring. The rock it was found in is shaped and cut flat for easy, aesthetic display.
Ammonites were predatory cephalopod mollusks that resembled squids with spiral shells. They are more closely related to living octopuses, though their shells resemble that of nautilus species. True ammonites appeared in the fossil record about 240 million years ago during the Triassic Period. The last lineages disappeared 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous.
These 70 million year old ammonites lived when South Dakota was a shallow inland sea. They were found preserved in concretions when split open. They then had to be hand-prepared to remove the hard rock surrounding them from their shells, a very time consuming task.
SPECIES
Hoploscaphities nicoletti
LOCATION
South Dakota
FORMATION
Fox Hills Formation - Trail City Member - Hoploscaphites nicolletti Zone
SIZE
Ammonite: 2.8" wide, Entire specimen: 3.6 x 2.6"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#209698
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our
specimens. Read more about our
Authenticity Guarantee.
specimens. Read more about our
Authenticity Guarantee.