Description
Fossil Scallop Shell Chesapecten is an extinct genus of scallop. They are known from marine strata from the early Miocene to the early Pleistocene of the Eastern Virginia and eastern United States.
This large scallop is a quite common fossil in Maryland and very showy.
This Fossil Scallop Shell Chesapecten lived in the shallow seas along the Mid-Atlantic during the Miocene Period. And many other scallops lived at the same time. But Chesapecten were the most abundant. Because the Chesapecten are characterized by a pattern of wide ribs. This is a distinctive feature of Chesapecten. The radial ribs on its shell are crossed by much smaller, rough, concentric ribs. These ribs follow the contours of the edges of the shell so they are easily identifiable..
Chesapectens lived on the seabed in coastal waters ranging in depth from a few feet to as deep as 100 feet. But it is assumed that they have rested on their its flatter right valve on the seafloor. So it is very likely that Chesapectens could move suddenly to escape a predator. They would move by flapping its valves and using the resulting jet propulsion, similar to that of almost all living scallops.
We have many in stock and we will choose the biggest and best for you at the time you order your shell.
Some people purchase these to use as soap dishes in their bathroom.
