Black Marble Orthocera

Orthocera ("straight horn")
Timeline: Ordovician - Devonian (490 - 370 million years)
Size: 1 cm - 4.5 metres in length
Range: Worldwide
Habitat: Demersal, close to the seabed
Diet: Carnivore

Orthoceras are a very diverse and successful branch of nautiloid cephalopods, related to modern day squids, octopuses & cuttlefish. Their name Orthocera, meaning “Straight Horn” refers to their straight, conical shaped shells. They used jet propulsion to move through the water, by drawing water into their shells and squirting it out. They are thought to have been predators and scavengers, using their tentacles to grab and pull prey towards its strong beak. These molluscs could range in size from a few centimetres to over fourteen feet long!

This XL Fossilised Black Marble Orthocera (450 Million Years Old) has been mounted on a bespoke steel stand.

Base & Mount: Stainless steel with stunning black lacquer coat for long-lasting protection.

Base Dimensions: 120mm x 120mm

Our stands are handcrafted in Cheshire and are designed to cradle the specimen, offering a 360° perspective and highlighting its best features while still preserving the natural form.

The picture shown is an example of the quality that you can expect to receive. Please be aware that, as these are natural products, they are subject to some variation.

We work closely with reputable suppliers all over the world to source high quality, genuine specimens. Each fossil comes with a certificate of authenticity documenting the provenance of each specimen, including the age and location where it was discovered.