What is Parapuzosia?
Q: What is Parapuzosia?
A: Parapuzosia is the largest known species of ammonite.
Q: Where did Parapuzosia live?
A: Parapuzosia lived during the Lower Cretaceous in marine environments in what is now Germany.
Q: How large is the largest Parapuzosia fossil specimen found so far?
A: The largest Parapuzosia fossil specimen found so far measures 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in diameter.
Q: Why is the front chamber of the Parapuzosia fossil specimen damaged?
A: The front chamber of the Parapuzosia fossil specimen is damaged presumably because a large predator bit the end off and took the living ammonite with it.
Q: Do almost all ammonite fossils have this type of damage to the living chamber?
A: Yes, almost all ammonite fossils have damage to the living chamber.
Q: What would have been the diameter of the Parapuzosia fossil specimen if it were complete?
A: If complete, this Parapuzosia specimen would have had a diameter of about 2.55 m (8.4 ft) or even 3.5 m (11 ft).
Q: What is the estimated total live mass of the Parapuzosia fossil specimen and what would be the weight of its shell?
A: The total live mass of the Parapuzosia fossil specimen has been estimated at 1,455 kg (3,208 lb), of which the shell would be about 705 kg (1,554 lb).
