Ammonoids are a group of extinct marine mollusk animals (sub-class: Ammonoidea; class: Cephalopoda), and are closely related to living Coleoids (octopuses, squid and cuttlefish). The earliest Ammonites first appeared in the Late Silurian to Early Devonian (around 400 million years ago) and became extinct around the Cretaceous (65 million years ago), along with the dinosaurs. They are excellent index fossils, linking the rock layer of a particular species or genus to specific geologic time periods. The fossil shells are found as planispirals (a tubular shell coiled in a single horizontal plane and the diameter increases away from the center of coiling), helically spiraled (a twisted, spiral shape, like a corkscrew) and nonspiraled forms known as heteromorphs (organisms requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon, as that obtained from plant or animal matter, for metabolic synthesis).
Ammonites are one of the most commonly found fossils; eoliths of extinct marine life. Little is known about them because their soft body parts are seldom preserved in detail and even their closest relatives are extinct. Studies show that the creature occupied the largest segments of the shell, at the end of the coil, and the smaller segments were blocked off so as to maintain buoyancy while filling the chambers with gas. Through a hyperosmotic active transport process (increasing osmotic pressure, typically higher than the physiological level), the Ammonite flushed water out of these shell chambers enabling it to control the buoyancy of the shell and thus its rise or descend. They are thought to have lived in the open water of ancient seas because they are found in rocks where no sea-bottom life is found. The shape and size of the shell can actually identify the sex. The male shell is slightly smaller and wider than that of the female shell maybe because the female required a larger body size for egg production.
The name Ammonite comes from the god Ammon, who had spiral ram horns and was originally an Ethiopian or Libyan deity worshipped all over Egypt and Greece. Their spiral shape symbolizes change and positive motion. It draws in negative energy, filtering it through the chambers and then releases fresh, positive energy. It’s been said to activate the Kundalini, (primal energy), which coils at the base of the spine and is an energy and life force source. Ammonites are connected to ancient knowledge and linked to the third eye chakra as well as the root chakra. They are also believed to help with blood pressure problems and degenerative diseases like those affecting the ears and lungs.
Only clean gently with lukewarm water and mild soap and dry it with a soft. Keep Ammonites away from harder materials in its own tray with a soft fabric or bag. Remove it before entering chemically treated water or doing any rigorous physical activity.
Ammonites are one of the most commonly found fossils; eoliths of extinct marine life. Little is known about them because their soft body parts are seldom preserved in detail and even their closest relatives are extinct. Studies show that the creature occupied the largest segments of the shell, at the end of the coil, and the smaller segments were blocked off so as to maintain buoyancy while filling the chambers with gas. Through a hyperosmotic active transport process (increasing osmotic pressure, typically higher than the physiological level), the Ammonite flushed water out of these shell chambers enabling it to control the buoyancy of the shell and thus its rise or descend. They are thought to have lived in the open water of ancient seas because they are found in rocks where no sea-bottom life is found. The shape and size of the shell can actually identify the sex. The male shell is slightly smaller and wider than that of the female shell maybe because the female required a larger body size for egg production.
The name Ammonite comes from the god Ammon, who had spiral ram horns and was originally an Ethiopian or Libyan deity worshipped all over Egypt and Greece. Their spiral shape symbolizes change and positive motion. It draws in negative energy, filtering it through the chambers and then releases fresh, positive energy. It’s been said to activate the Kundalini, (primal energy), which coils at the base of the spine and is an energy and life force source. Ammonites are connected to ancient knowledge and linked to the third eye chakra as well as the root chakra. They are also believed to help with blood pressure problems and degenerative diseases like those affecting the ears and lungs.
Only clean gently with lukewarm water and mild soap and dry it with a soft. Keep Ammonites away from harder materials in its own tray with a soft fabric or bag. Remove it before entering chemically treated water or doing any rigorous physical activity.