Description
- White Agadir Ammonite
- Species: Acanthoceras sp
- Age: Cretaceous, 100 Million Years Old
- Source: Agadir, Morocco
- Size: Approx 130mm
- Exact item pictured
Ammonites are probably the most recognisable fossils, known by many they are usually one of the first acquired when starting a collection due to their availability. Their familiar spiral shape shell is incredibly iconic and whilst it appears similar to a snail shell, these animals were not that closely related to snails. They were marine animals, present between 240 – 65 million years ago, that had a coiled segmented shell similar to what we see in the present day nautilus. Ammonites are molluscs that are most closely related to living Cephalopods, i.e. octopus, squid, and cuttlefish.
Morocco is one of the richest sources of ammonite fossils in the world, and among its most famous finds are the giant ammonites, often referred to as Moroccan or Agadir Ammonites. These ammonites differ from the other commonly available Madagascan fossils by their often larger sizes, as well as their rough ribbed appearance. Among these giant ammonites, the genus Acanthoceras stands out as one of the most prominent and recognizable.
Acanthoceras is characterised by its large, coiled shell, which typically has a robust curled structure, similar to a massive snail shell. The shell is adorned with prominent ribbing and often exhibits knobs or protrusions along the edge. The suture lines, which separate the shell chambers, are complex and intricately patterned, a defining feature of the ammonite family Acanthoceratidae.
The base of these Ammonites has been cut to allow them to be displayed stood vertically.
