Cephalopod Fossils

Fossil Cephalopods are related to the modern day octopus.

Then they had hard external shells either coiled or straight. Because these creatures had tentacles like the modern day octopus they were considered ocean going predators. Because the creature was soft bodied only the hard external shell remains.

These Cephalopod fossils are easily recognizable because of their shell. Many  had curved or coiled shells but some had long straight shells. In various parts of the world they can be found as large as several feet in diameter. And they can be found is shale concretions as in the ones found along the shores in England.

Cephalopod in Greek means head, foot. They have distinct sections within the body of the shell. The divisions that are clearly visible in polished varieties are called sutures.