Goniatite Fossils

Goniatites are a type of extinct marine animal known as an ammonoid, which were shelled cephalopods related to modern-day squid and octopuses. Goniatites had a coiled shell that was divided into a series of chambers. The animal lived in the last chamber and pumped water in and out of the shell for propulsion and breathing.

Goniatites are named after the Greek word “gonia,” which means “angle” or “corner,” in reference to the shape of their shell.