Trilobite fossil. Fossil of the trilobite Cornuproteus cornutus. The trilobites are an extinct group of marine arthropods with a hard, segmented shell

---

Trilobite fossil. Fossil of the trilobite Cornuproteus cornutus. The trilobites are an extinct group of marine arthropods with a hard, segmented shell that is divided into 3 sections. They occurred from the Lower Cambrian to the Upper Permian period (around 543-248 million years ago). Most were bottom dwellers, feeding either on organic sediment or by catching their own prey. Many trilobites could roll themselves up into a ball when threatened. Assuming this position ensured that only the shell was exposed, defending the animal from attack. Found in Morocco.

---

Size: 3576px × 5329px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: african, ancient, animal, animals, arthropodan, cornuproteus, cornutus, extinct, fossil, fossilised, fossils, geology, invertebrate, invertebrates, marine, moroccan, morocco, north, palaeontology, paleontology, preserved, rock, segmented, segments, shell, single, solitary, spikes, spiky, spines, spiny, stone, trilobite, zoology