Fossil Gastropods
With over 100 species already identified—and more yet to be discovered—gastropods are a prominent feature of the fossil record at Folkestone. Alongside bivalves and brachiopods, they are among the most frequently encountered fossils in the area.
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Although I do not actively collect gastropods at Folkestone, I always examine them with the hope of discovering a fossilized hermit crab preserved within a test.
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Many specimens found on the foreshore are heavily worn or altered by pyritization, which limits their quality. For this reason, I currently have few photographs to display here. As suitable specimens are recovered, this page will be updated accordingly.
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On occasion, freshly exposed examples can be found that remain unworn and retain much of their original test. For collectors seeking higher-quality material, the clay beds offer greater potential; however, specimens from these deposits often require careful preparation.
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On this page you will find some of the better examples in my collection currently. There are many different species to be found at Folkestone. For a better catalogue I recommend a copy of "Fossils of the Gault Clay"
Gyrodes gentii
(J. Sowerby)
I do not frequently encounter these fossils in the sand, but when I do, they are instantly recognisable.
Specimens I have collected range in size from approximately 10 mm up to 50 mm.
They are similar in overall shape to the modern garden snail, with a rounded, coiled form and a relatively thick test. The robust nature of these fossils means that, when they do survive transport and exposure, they are often found intact.
More heavily worn examples tend to be smooth, shiny, and black, a coloration that likely reflects prolonged exposure to marine abrasion and secondary mineralisation, particularly phosphate enrichment.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Uncommon
Nummogaultina fittoni
(Romer)
I do not frequently encounter these fossils on the foreshore.
Specimens I have collected range from approximately 10 mm to 50 mm in size. Despite their recognisability, well-preserved examples are uncommon, and most finds show at least some degree of surface wear.
These specimens are similar in shape to Gyrodes gentii, though they are notably more compressed, with some individuals appearing almost flattened. This compression may be partly original and partly the result of post-depositional compaction within the sediment.
Unfortunately, these fossils tend to wear quickly once exposed. When found directly within the clay, however, they display a beautifully ornamented test, with fine spiral and surface details that are rarely preserved in foreshore-derived material.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Uncommon
