Baculite

/ˈbæk.jə.laɪt/ noun

Definition

A fossil belonging to the genus Baculites, an extinct cephalopod with a slightly curved or coiled shell.

Etymology

From 'baculum' (rod/staff) with the suffix '-lite' from Greek 'lithos' meaning 'stone,' literally 'rod stone' or 'staff fossil.'

Kelly Says

Baculites are famous because they're some of the last cephalopods before the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs—they went out 66 million years ago right alongside T-rex!

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