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GIANT PLIOCENE SEA SNAIL FOSSIL SHELL Sarasota County, Florida, U.S.A. PLIOCENE PERIOD: 5 - 1.81 million years ago Known for its splendid array of gastropod fossils, Florida is home to many fossil shell species in abundance. The nature of finding a gastropod fossil in a shell pit, for example, usually means that it will be heavily weathered and seriously damaged. Certainly, delicate features of the shell are almost always missing. What is most unique and exciting about this massive fossil specimen of Triplofusus giganteus is that all the anatomy is still intact and well-preserved. The pointed centrum is complete and overall surface detail is still present and wonderfully visible. Do not confuse this genuine fossil with inexpensive MODERN shells available in shell shops from this species. This complete and very high-grade specimen came from a gigantic sea snail that lived 5 million years ago, crawling around the ocean floor when the massive Megalodon shark still terrorized the warm waters off the southeastern Atlantic coast of prehistoric North America. This remarkable gastropod fossil is recommended for its immense size and display appeal. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. Triplofusus giganteus, otherwise known as the "Horse Conch", is the official Florida state shell. This massive gastropod is still alive today and can grow to a total overall living length of 24 inches! This species is a voracious carnivore common on both coasts of Florida from the shoreline down to a depth of about 100 feet. Although the shell is found throughout the southeast United States, in Texas, and northeast Mexico, it is much more common in Florida waters. In prehistoric times during the Pliocene Period, the imposing Triplofusus giganteus roamed the ocean floor searching for its primary victim, bivalves. This conch feeds by attaching itself to its prey with its foot and slowly rasping a hole in the shell of its unfortunate victim. Triplofusus giganteus can move great distances and can go against tidal currents with the use of its powerful foot. If you want a stunning and massive prehistoric sea snail fossil for display, we highly recommend this example. This is the largest fossil shell species of this region we could offer and makes for a highly interesting display when accompanied by other marine fossils from the same time period such as fossil shark teeth (Megalodon!), corals and bivalves. THE KING OF THE FLORIDA PLIOCENE ERA SEA SNAILS - EXCELLENT AND INTACT SPECIMEN! 12.25" in length $295 GA-033 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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