belemnite
Ancient squid relative
Belemnite refers to an extinct squid-like marine animal that lived during the Mesozoic era, known primarily from its distinctive bullet-shaped internal shell fossil.
These fossils, sometimes called thunderstones or devil's fingers in folklore, are common in certain rock formations and were once thought to be petrified lightning bolts.
Paleontologists study belemnites alongside ammonites to understand ancient marine ecosystems.
Study of ancient organisms
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
sediment · stratigraphy · excavation · paleontologist · preservation · rostrum · guard · calcite
Dinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- extinctNo longer existing
prehistoric · dinosaurs · ammonites · ichthyosaurs · plesiosaurs · pterosaurs · geologic · era
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
mineralization · sediment · stratigraphy · excavation · paleontologist · preservation · rostrum · guard · calcite · aragonite
Jurassic
Dinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
extinct · prehistoric · dinosaurs · ammonites · ichthyosaurs · plesiosaurs · pterosaurs · geologic · era · Tethys
squid
Ten-armed marine mollusk
- cuttlefishColor-changing cephalopod with internal shell
- nautilusChambered marine mollusk
- molluskSoft-bodied invertebrate, often shelled
tentacles · mantle · siphon · beak · soft-bodied · carnivore · predator · shell · chambered · buoyancy
ocean
Massive saltwater body
saltwater · depths · reef · plankton · predator · hunting · seafloor · currents · ecosystem · prey
belemnitesquid
Ten-armed marine mollusk
cuttlefish · nautilus · octopus · giant squid