Ammonites, Natures Geometry

Ammonites are some of the most fascinating fossils on the planet.  They are geometrically perfect and that is why they are so appealing to the eye.  These shells perfectly illustrate the Golden Ratio.

http://www.fossilshack.com/whole-ammonites.html

 

These amazing creatures are related to modern squid and octopus but developed a solid outer shell.  The shell would grow with the animal and segment into hollow chambers to give the creature a neutral buoyancy in water.

http://www.fossilshack.com/whole-ammonites.html

Ammonites came in a variety of shapes and sizes.  They are very diverse and doe to the fossilization process they are made up of a variety of different materials.

http://www.fossilshack.com/whole-ammonites.html

http://www.fossilshack.com/whole-ammonites.html

For more Ammonites or to purchase them visit http://www.fossilshack.com/whole-ammonites.html
or visit www.fossilshack.com

Fossil Brittle Stars

The Fossils of complete brittle stars (more commonly called starfish) are rarely found. Brittle stars are marine invertebrates that dwell in all the oceans around the world. Because they have thin exoskeletons they are less likely to fossilize that other

http://www.fossilshack.com/starfish.html

This Moroccan brittle star fossil dates back to the Ordovician Period, over 450 million years ago, and clearly shows the brittle star's five "arms."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.fossilshack.com/starfish.html

 These brittle stars are some of the most beautiful and artistic of the fossils waiting to be discovered.  Their form, coupled with their incredible shapes make them a true piece of natural art.

http://www.fossilshack.com/starfish.html

For more great Brittle Star Fossils check out http://www.fossilshack.com/starfish.html

or visit Fossil Shack at www.fossilshack.com

Fossils of complete brittle stars (more commonly called starfish) are rarely found. Brittle stars are marine invertebrates that dwell in all the oceans around the world. This Moroccan brittle star fossil dates back to the Ordovician Period, over 450 million years ago, and clearly shows the brittle star's five "arms." - See more at: http://www.fireandice.com/ordovician-brittle-star-fossil-from-morocco.html#sthash.s6k0YypQ.dpuf

Fossils of complete brittle stars (more commonly called starfish) are rarely found. Brittle stars are marine invertebrates that dwell in all the oceans around the world. This Moroccan brittle star fossil dates back to the Ordovician Period, over 450 million years ago, and clearly shows the brittle star's five "arms." - See more at: http://www.fireandice.com/ordovician-brittle-star-fossil-from-morocco.html#sthash.s6k0YypQ.dpuf

Fossils of complete brittle stars (more commonly called starfish) are rarely found. Brittle stars are marine invertebrates that dwell in all the oceans around the world. This Moroccan brittle star fossil dates back to the Ordovician Period, over 450 million years ago, and clearly shows the brittle star's five "arms." - See more at: http://www.fireandice.com/ordovician-brittle-star-fossil-from-morocco.html#sthash.s6k0YypQ.dpuf

Fossils of complete brittle stars (more commonly called starfish) are rarely found. Brittle stars are marine invertebrates that dwell in all the oceans around the world. This Moroccan brittle star fossil dates back to the Ordovician Period, over 450 million years ago, and clearly shows the brittle star's five "arms." - See more at: http://www.fireandice.com/ordovician-brittle-star-fossil-from-morocco.html#sthash.s6k0YypQ.dpuf

Fossils of complete brittle stars (more commonly called starfish) are rarely found. Brittle stars are marine invertebrates that dwell in all the oceans around the world. This Moroccan brittle star fossil dates back to the Ordovician Period, over 450 million years ago, and clearly shows the brittle star's five "arms." - See more at: http://www.fireandice.com/ordovician-brittle-star-fossil-from-morocco.html#sthash.s6k0YypQ.dpuf

Spinosaurus

One of the most bizarre dinosaurs of all time is Spinosaurus.  This incredible creature looked like no other dinosaur.  It was the largest carnivorous dinosaur that ever walked the earth.

These dinosaurs have an incredible selection of weapons.  It had fascinating teeth that were cone shaped rather than the typical blade shape of most other meat eating dinosaurs.

http://www.fossilshack.com/spinosaurus.html

They also had incredible claws meant to terrorize their prey.  Their hand claws were shaped like sickles and could tear through the flesh of their next meal.

http://www.fossilshack.com/claws.html

They were also also equipped with large foot claws to hold and tear at their food.

http://www.fossilshack.com/claws.html

For real Spinosaurus Fossils, check out the Fossil Shack Website at www.fossilshack.com
for teeth:  Spinosaurus Teeth
For claws: spinosaurus claws

Amazing Articulated Mosasaur Skull

This is one of those incredible times where nature conspires to create a truly incredible piece of art and science.  This is an amazingly well preserved skull of a mosasaur called platecarpus.  This specimen was found int he Sahara Desert region of Northern Africa.

Photo by Fossil Shack http://www.fossilshack.com/skulls.html

When this skull was pulled from the ground we knew it was something different about it.  As it was taken into the lab and the matrix began to be removed we realized what a true treasure this was.  It was an amazing skull.

Photo by Fossil Shack http://www.fossilshack.com/skulls.html

This skull was incredibly well preserved and complete.  It was well preserved and articulated enough that you could see where every part of the skull went together and how everything was connected.

Photo by Fossil Shack http://www.fossilshack.com/skulls.html

As the remainder of the matrix was removed it became clear that this was a stunning mosasaur fossil with nearly everything in place and well preserved.

Photo by Fossil Shack http://www.fossilshack.com/skulls.html

This mosasaur skull was so incredible just as it had been displayed by nature that is seemed a crime to take it apart and assemble it as a 3-D skull for display.

Photo by Fossil Shack http://www.fossilshack.com/skulls.html

 It was at this point we determined the best scenario for this amazing creature would be to clean off the matrix and mount and display it in its natural state.

by Seth Sorensen

For more details please check out www.fossilshack.com or  http://www.fossilshack.com/skulls.html

Dyrosaurus, the bizarre Marine Crocodile

Dyrosaurus is a bizarre marine crocodile from the Eocene period.  It lived mainly in Northern Africa.

Dyrosaurus Fossil from Fossil Shack

These strange crocodiles are best known for their long narrow snouts and large jaw muscle attachments.

Dyrosaurus prepared by Fossil Shack

These amazing crocodile fossils are often found in the same locations a mosasaur and shark remains, leading scientists to believe that they existed together for millions of years.

 

Dyrosaurus Crocodile fossil skull prepared by Fossil Shack

For more great fossils check out Fossil Shack by visiting www.fossilshack.com

By Seth Sorensen

Sea Scorpions

Sea Scorpions or Eurypterids are an amazing group of ancient animals.  They ruled the seas at the same time as the trilobites.  These amazing creatures were related to both trilobites and modern scorpions.

This amazing eurypterid can be found at http://www.fossilshack.com/eurypterids--sea-scorpions.html

These creatures prowled the ocean bottoms in search of prey.  They possessed many appendages similar to those of scorpions but also has special adaptations for life in the ocean.

This piece collected by www.fossilshack.com has three complete sea scorpions and many partials on the same stone.

Here is a very small eurypterid with nearly complete appendages.  This specimen was collected by www.fossilshack.com . 


Most Eurypterids inhabited very shallow brackish and fresh water environments, and some may have been able to walk on land. Their bodies were made of many segments and joints. Most Eurypterids were under 10" in length, but some genera, such as Pterygotus and Jaekelopterus could reach lengths of over 7 feet, and may have been the largest arthropods to ever live.

Check out more Eurypterids at www.fossilshack.com .

Tracks Across Time

Sometimes we get more information from things other than the fossilized bones of ancient animals.  Tracks are one of these amazing resources.  We can learn from fossilized tracks just how muscles and skin on the feet looked.  We can also learn, as is the case at Johnson's farm in Utah that dinosaurs could swim, we see where they sat on their haunches and can see how their running stride differed from their walking gait.

These tracks are an amazing scientific resource and a tremendous collector piece.

Many people do not know that dinosaur tracks are names, but not for the dinosaur that possible made them.  They are described, just like any fossil, by their individual attributes.  These tracks are called Grallator and were possibly made by Coelophysis ot Dilophosaurus.

 

Check out more at www.fossilshack.com

You can also go directly to http://www.fossilshack.com/tracks.html

Mammoth Teeth from the deep

The woolly mammoth was a species of mammoth, the common name for the extinct elephant genus Mammuthus. The woolly mammoth was one of the last in a line of mammoth species, beginning with Mammuthus subplanifrons in the early Pliocene.

Scientific name: Mammuthus primigenius

These teeth are commonly found by fishermen at the bottom of the North Sea.  They are caught in their nets and brought to the surface.  These teeth must then be stabilized so they do not crumble. 

See more at www.fossilshack.com

or at http://www.fossilshack.com/mammoth-teethtusks.html

Cornuproetus Trilobites

Cornuproetus trilobites are a very uncommon trilobite from the Devonian period.  They lived some 400 million years ago and were among the earliest creatures with fully developed eyes.  Curnuproetus trilobites have been found as fossils over the past several years and some have been found completely rolled into a ball with only their spines sticking out.  It is thought that this was for protection.

Check out the selection of cornuproetus trilobites on the market at http://www.fossilshack.com/cornuproetus-trilobites.html


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Large African Trilobites - You would not want to squish one with your foot!

Trilobites were some of natures most successful creatures.  They survived for over 270 million years.  They took on many sizes and shapes.  This week we will give a look at many different types and adaptations.

Cambropallas Telesto trilobites are known to have inhabited the earth during the Cambrian Period 500 million years ago and were among some of the largest trilobites of that, or any time.  They are most commonly found in the Sahara Desert area of northern Africa.

These trilobites are most often found in Morocco, where they are also faked because of the ease to replicate them.  You must be cautious in purchasing them because there are so many fakes on the market.

To check out authentic and trusted examples for sale, follow the link below.
http://www.fossilshack.com/cambropallas-trilobites.html

www.fossilshack.com

From beginning to end, preparing a fossil is the ultimate jigsaw puzzle.  This is a 52" long prognathodon skull that was just prepared by us.  This monster is the largest member of the mosasaur family.  These amazing creatures roamed the seas at the same time as T-Rex roamed the seas.  This blog will follow us through many of our fossil projects, as well as share fossil news and discoveries.

www.fossilshack.com

Doc Dino
Seth Sorensen