Ammonites

The ammonite was basically a squid-type marine creature in a spiral shell that lived in large numbers 240-65 million years ago.  It caught its food with its tentacles and moved around by expelling water through a tube-like opening, creating its own jet propulsion system.

The largest ammonite ever found was 8 ft 6 inches across.  See Giant Ammonite details.

Ammonites are a commonly-found Lyme Regis fossil.  You can see the ammonite shape all around town and on the seafront, where we have them on the lamposts.  

Fancy going fossil hunting along the Jurassic coast, in Lyme Regis or Charmouth?  Have a look on our Fossil Hunting Info page for locations where fossils are found and safety tips.

Once found, your fossil may need preparation.  For a fun video of a fossil being prepared, see time-lapse ammonite preparation.