Ammonites or Shelled cephalopods, went extinct approximately 66 million years ago. They can be found all throughout the world, sometimes in extremely high numbers, as fossils.
Ammonites' frequently coiled shells may be recognizable, but how much do you know about the creatures that formerly inhabited them?
Ammonites: what were they?
Ammonites were called "snakestones" because, before their true nature was discovered, one theory about them was that they were simply coiled snakes that had turned to stone. However, ammonites were not reptiles; rather, they were mollusks that lived in the ocean, namely cephalopods.
Although ammonites resembled nautiluses in appearance, they are believed to be more closely linked to coleoids, which is a group that also includes cuttlefish and octopuses.
Here at That Little Museum
We are the proud owners of many fossils including six Ammonites.
From large to small with our largest measuring the size of a dinner plate to the smallest the size of a 50p coin they come in all shapes and sizes.
One of our rarest Ammonites is the Ammonite - Dactyloceras - This specimen is over 80 million years old.
This fossil was found in Whitby, Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and was donated to us in September 2023.
You can see more of our Fossils in our collection by looking at our Fossil page on our site!
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