The fossil in the image is a trilobite, an arthropod that lived in the oceans from the Cambrian period to the Permian period (541 to 252 million years ago). Trilobites were one of the most successful groups of marine animals during their time, and their fossils are found all over the world.
Animal Parts:
Head
Thorax
Tail
Trilobation (three lobes)
Animal Type:
Trilobite
The fossil in the image is a trilobite, an arthropod that lived in the oceans from the Cambrian period to the Permian period (541 to 252 million years ago). Trilobites were one of the most successful groups of marine animals during their time, and their fossils are found all over the world.
Trilobites were typically small, ranging in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. They had a hard exoskeleton that was divided into three lobes: a cephalon (head), thorax, and pygidium (tail). The cephalon was the largest lobe and contained the trilobite's eyes, antennae, and mouth. The thorax was made up of several segments, each with a pair of appendages. The pygidium was the smallest lobe and served to protect the trilobite's tail.
Trilobites were bottom-dwelling animals that fed on detritus (decaying organic matter) and small organisms. They were preyed upon by other marine animals, such as fish and cephalopods.