Date: Mississippian Period (sub period of Carboniferous Period, 359-318 million years old)

 

Description: These are fossils of ancient Crinoids, marine animals that belong to the same family as the starfish. Sometimes called the sea lily or feather star, these animals use their long tentacles to capture prey, similar to modern anemones. Crinoids first appeared long before the dinosaurs, around 480 million years ago, and certain species still exist in today’s oceans. These fossils were found near Gilmore City, Iowa in Pocahontas County.

 

Donor information not available.

 

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