Description
This is a Fossil Cephalopod. It is from the Devonian Period of Morocco.
A wonderful example of this creature of the ancient seas. These were marine creatures that lived in a hard shell. They were related to octopus and Squid. But these creatures retained their hard shell. Because of the erosion and weathering of the earth surfaces these can be readily found. But some rock breaking is necessary. Normally when found some shell material remains along with the color. The matrix is often very hard to prepare.
Like other shelled marine animals, the Fossil Cephalopod lived inside of their shells, had tentacles they could use to grab food. But in order to move they used jet propulsion, squirting water to move. The Devonian rock they are found in from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and frequently polished to reveal the fossils.
The Fossil Orthoceras Cephalopod is related to the modern day octopus but then they had a hard external shell. However the octopus of today have lost their shells. The Cephalopod also had tentacles with which it captured it’s food. But they are some of the most recognizable fossils in the world.
This Orthoceras is 4 1/2 inches long on a rock matrix 6 1/4 inches long.
