Belemnites: Cephalopods of the Ordovician Period

Belemnites: Cephalopods of the Ordovician Period

Belemnites were a group of extinct cephalopods that lived during the Ordovician Period, approximately 500 million years ago. These creatures were similar to modern squids and octopuses, with a long, cone-shaped shell called a «guard» that provided buoyancy and stability in the water.

Belemnites were predatory animals, using their tentacles to catch prey and their beak-like jaws to crush and eat their food. They were highly successful and widespread during their time, with fossils found on every continent. Scientists have studied belemnite fossils to learn more about the ancient oceans and the creatures that lived in them.

Despite their abundance during the Ordovician Period, belemnites eventually went extinct around 65 million years ago, likely due to environmental changes and competition from other marine animals. Today, belemnite fossils serve as important clues for understanding the history of life on Earth and the evolution of cephalopods.