Belenites & Nautiloids
Here you will find examples of some of the most common—and rarest—cephalopods at Folkestone: Belemnites and Nautiloids.
Belemnites are incredibly common and easy to spot on both the foreshore and in the clay. They are typically light pink or tan in color and shaped like a bullet. Unlike the large belemnites found at Lyme Regis, those at Folkestone are much smaller, rarely exceeding 40mm in length.
Nautiloids are similar in shape to ammonites but are more robust, with distinctly different chamber shapes.
Very rarely, the beaks of nautiloids have also been discovered at Folkestone, making them highly prized finds for collectors.
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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"
Eutrepgoceras clementinum
(d'Orbigny)
I have found specimens ranging from 10mm up to 50mm.
I do not often come across these in the sands, but when I do, they are instantly recognizable.
They are similar in shape to a modern garden snail. The robust nature of these fossils usually means they are found intact. Worn examples tend to be smooth, shiny, and black.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Rare
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Rhynchoteuthis (Nautilus beak)
The above specimen is 1.1cm long.
The only example I own, exceptionally rare and fragile.
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Most are likely lost due to the fragile nature, I was lucky enough to find this freshly washed out on top of the clay.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Very rare
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Neobelemnites phragmocone
These are rare little finds, considering the amount of neobelemnites to be found at Folkestone its unusual that I do not find more of these. Most likely due to the size of them, measuring 2-5mm in length.
Very robust, similar in preservation to the hard wearing phosphate. Above you have a loose example and one still housed within a partial neobelemnite.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Very Rare
Neohibolites minimus var. attenuatus
These Neobelemnities are often found between 1cm to 4cm. Rarely exceeding this limit.
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The above example are instantly distinguishable from the more common variant due to the elongated flat tip.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Uncommon
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Neohibolites minimus
These Neobelemnities are often found between 1cm to 4cm. Rarely exceeding this limit.
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These are the most common of the Neobelemnities you will find on the foreshore, I have never been and not seen one. Bullet shaped and a beautiful pink/tan colour when wet.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Uncommon
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Pathological and an oddity
The specimen on the left is a pathological example of the common Neohibolites minimus. The curved tip indicates a growth abnormality, most likely caused by injury, disease, or environmental stress during the animal’s life.
Considering the vast quantities of Neohibolites minimus recovered from this locality, it is somewhat surprising that pathological specimens are not more frequently encountered, suggesting that such abnormalities were either rare or less likely to be preserved.
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The specimen on the right is an unusual example that shows no signs of pathology and is otherwise perfectly formed. The only notable difference is its jet-black colouration. This colouring may be the result of mineral staining or phosphatisation and suggests a possible origin from the Greensand beds, where such preservation is more commonly observed.
Find frequency on the foreshore: Only examples in my collection
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