Ancyloceras

/æn.saɪ.loʊˈsɛr.əs/ noun

Definition

A genus of extinct spiral-shelled cephalopods (related to squid and nautilus) from the Cretaceous period.

Etymology

From Greek 'ancylos' (hooked) plus 'keras' (horn). Named for the characteristic hooked, spiral shape of their shells.

Kelly Says

Ancyloceras fossils are beautiful spirals that look like nautilus shells, but they died out 66 million years ago when the meteor hit—they didn't survive the extinction event that killed the dinosaurs.

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