AMMONITE WITH "BITE MARKS". Placenticeras meeki. Late Cretaceous, Pierre Shale. South Dakota, USA. ...

Description

AMMONITE WITH "BITE MARKS"
Placenticeras meeki
Late Cretaceous, Pierre Shale
South Dakota, USA

This piece is really a tale of two fossils. The smooth front side features an ornate pattern of suture lines diagnostic of it belonging to the great group of cephalopods known as Ammonites. The other side, while replete with original shell nacre that has fossilized to exhibit a colorful opalescence, is rough but displays the key to this specimen - numerous round "holes" indicative of predatory bite marks! Likely the result of an attack by a monstrous Mosasaur looking for a meal, the holes match the dentition of these fearsome marine reptiles, which were known to have preyed on Ammonites as part of their diet. This piece is rather large boasting a diameter of 12 inches (30 cm). Not only is this an attractive fossil in its own right, but it is also the chronicle of a Mosasaur-Ammonite "interaction" from the ocean of the Late Cretaceous.
Overall Measurements: 12 inches (30.48 cm) in diameter
Offered at no reserve.

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