Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
315 / Mesozoic
Scaphites
Scaphites nodosus
The juvenile shell coiled tightly before the adult chamber uncoiled and hooked back.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 76–70 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Nearshore seas · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Scaphites?
Scaphites (Scaphites nodosus) was an extinct organism known from About 76–70 million years ago, with a range in Nearshore seas · North America.
Life and ecology
Scaphites controlled buoyancy with chambered shells and probably moved slowly in coastal waters.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Scaphites disappear?
Its record ends before the final Cretaceous crisis; environmental turnover is possible context, not a demonstrated cause.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Scaphites?
Three-dimensional shells preserve growth, nodes, sutures and probable sexual dimorphism.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS