Ammonites were a group of marine mollusks related to modern octopus, squids, and cuttlefish that first appeared in the Devonian Period (about 400 million years ago) and went extinct 66 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period. Unlike octopus and squids and cuttlefish, ammonites have a large external shell that makes them look a bit like huge snails. History: The shells of ammonites sometimes preserve a shiny, "mother-of-pearl" layer (called "ammolite") that can be used to make attractive jewelry.

Scientific Name: "Ammonite" is an informal term for all animals in the mollusk group Ammonoidea. They are named for the Egyptian god "Ammon". Ammon is usually depicted with ram's horns on his head, which look a lot like the coiled shells of many species of ammonite.

Characteristics: All ammonites have a large external shell, as this Ammonite toy shows. Most shells are coiled, but some species have a more complicated helical shape.

Measures: 4"x2"

Non toxic and BPA FREE