Top 5 Fun Facts About Orthoceras

Top 5 Fun Facts About Orthoceras Orthoceras is one of the most popular fossils in the world. These are the striking white creatures that rest inside the dark limestone, frozen in time. You must already have seen them at a rock store sometime. These amazing creatures are ancient mollusks that lived in the Ordovician period when the earth was mostly covered in water. They had a soft squid-like body trapped inside a cone shell.

Over time, their shell transitioned into calcite and fossilized. Here are some more fun facts about this amazing marine fossil!

1. They grew their own shell Unlike a hermit crab who find and move into a bigger shell, orthoceras didn’t go anywhere but grew their shell bigger. They did this by creating a whole new dividing wall inside their shell known as septa. These days you can see the septas separated by various lines in the fossil. Scientists tell the age of these beautiful creatures just by looking at the number of lines they have.

2. They could grow up to 14 feet The size range of orthoceras fossils is quite impressive! Most of them were one to ten inches long. However, if they survived enough, it could even grow more than twice a human’s height, which is as big as a great white shark!

3.It was one of the smartest ocean species around Orthoceras is said to have ruled the ancient Ordovician oceans. They were very fast swimmers and darted around with jet propulsion inside their shells! After “jetting,� they used the air inside their shell cavity as a buoyancy device. While encountering a predator, they squirted out ink and escaped.

4. Their fossils are found all over the world The popular orthoceras fossils are found in Sweden, Morocco, and even in some parts of Antarctica. Often thousands of Orthoceras fossils are found in abundance in the same digging site by the archaeologists. They have a beautiful contrast, especially when polished.

5. Their fossils slabs are used for various types of home decor From office desks to walls and countertops, people enjoy various decor items made of orthoceras fossils in their homes and workplaces. Many companies mine huge slabs of limestone with orthoceras fossils for wall alternatives to drywall and wood paneling.

The good news is you can also have these amazing and extraordinary orthoceras fossils. Look for orthoceras fossils for sale online and you can buy some great pieces for your collection.