Description
Small Fire Ammonites 4cm – 4.5cm average size cleoniceras
These Small Fire Ammonites 4cm – 4.5cm average size, have been polished to show their remarkable colours. These ammonites have a stunning red opalescent lustre. This was formed during the fossilisation process, millions of yeas ago. The mineral aragonite replacing the ammonite shell, creating these wonderful colours. These specimens dates back to the Cretaceous period, 120 million years ago. This ‘fiery red opalescence’ means that they have been givenen the name ‘Fire Ammonites’. They occur on the North West Coast of Madagascar in an isolated part of the the Mahajanga jungle.
Ammonites have been extinct for 65 million years. They are a form of Cephalopod, a group of marine molluscs. These first appeared in the Devonian Period, over 4oo million years ago. The soft body tissues of the ammonites are generally too delicate to withstand the fossilisation process. As the ammonite grew larger it would continually add new chambers to the shell. The ammonite itself however only living in the largest chamber. The name Ammonite, derives from from ‘Ammon’ the Greek God. Ammonites were plankton feeders, they had long tentacles, and swam upright. Altogether, there were in the region of four thousand different species. Ammonites became extinct 65 million years ago. The squid and octopus that swim in our seas now however, are closely related.
