Orthoceras Fossil

Description

You will marvel over the age and beauty of your new authentic
Orthoceras Fossil
.  Each plaque contains a single, polished fossilized Orthoceras.  Each plaque is unique in size and shape, but
on average measures, 4" across its widest point
(ranging from 3-5" in overall length) and will have a fossil of varying size.
The Orthoceras is an extinct species of cephalopod that lived 416 to 359 million years ago.  It grew to over 6 feet in length and fed on small marine animals and fish.  The name Orthoceras means “straight horn” named after the conical shape of the shell.  They were free-swimming marine animals, with a head, eyes, and tentacles.  Much like the Ammonite, the shell of the Orthoceras was divided into chambers containing air. The animal was able to use the trapped air to adjust its buoyancy in the water.  As the animal grew, it created a new chamber, or septa, behind its body.  You can see the black chamber lines along the length of the shell.  Similar to the modern-day squid, they would use jets of water to propel themselves backward.
Our fossilized specimens are from the Atlas Mountain Range in Morocco.  Encapsulated in what is now marble, the white or grey markings are that of the animal's shell.  If you look closely, some specimens contain remnants of other marine life as well.  Miners chisel the rock, then shape and polish the marble into a torpedo shape to highlight and accentuate the fossilized remains.  The underside of this plaque remains rough.  Due to the abrasive process used to extract these fossils from the earth, some pieces may have a bit of restoration and repair work performed.
This listing is for one fossil
, the photos are representative of the specimen you will receive with your purchase. As it is a natural creation, each piece varies in shape, color, and characteristics. We take great care to select an exceptional specimen for you from among our best pieces.
A quick note about your purchase: this fossil does not come with an identification card or display stand.  You are welcome to jot down information from this listing to keep with your fossil.  Thank you.
~~~ Thank you for shopping with Treasure Quest Mining, an award-winning indoor gem mining experience, birthday party venue, and prehistoric gift shop located in Apex, NC.  We take great pride in curating genuine treasures of the highest quality available and offering them at an affordable price for you to cherish and enjoy.  Thank you for entrusting your purchase with us, we hope you adore your new treasure!
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