Fossil cephalopods

Fossil cephalopods are preserved remains of ancient marine animals related to modern squids and octopuses. These fossils often include their shells, which are made of hard material called aragonite or calcite. Over millions of years, these shells have been fossilized, providing insight into their structure, evolution, and the ancient oceans they inhabited. They are important to scientists because they help understand the history of marine life, biodiversity changes, and past environmental conditions. Fossil cephalopods typically date from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, showcasing their long evolutionary history in Earth's oceans.