British Chalk Belemnite – Actinocamax verus – Santonian, Cretaceous – Margate, Kent, UK – Authentic Fossil with Certificate

Description

British Chalk Belemnite – Actinocamax verus

Santonian Stage, Late Cretaceous (~86.3–83.6 million years ago)

From the Chalk Group – Margate, Kent, United Kingdom

Taxonomic Details:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Belemnitida
• Superfamily: Belemnopseina
• Family: Belemnitellidae
• Genus: Actinocamax
• Species: Actinocamax verus
• Formally described by Miller in 1826

Geological & Stratigraphic Context:

• Geological Stage: Santonian, part of the Upper Cretaceous
• Formation: Upper Chalk Formation of the British Chalk Group
• Locality: Margate, Kent, UK
• Depositional Environment: Open marine shelf environment, low-energy conditions dominated by calcareous ooze deposition, forming soft white chalk

Paleontological and Morphological Features:

• Actinocamax verus is a member of the extinct group of cephalopods known as belemnites, closely related to modern squid and cuttlefish
• The fossil represents the guard or rostrum—a solid bullet-shaped internal shell used for balance and stabilization in swimming
• Typically slender, elongated form with a pointed apex and central alveolus (chamber where the phragmocone was once housed)
• This specimen exhibits fine preservation of the guard, characteristic of Santonian chalk belemnites from southern England

Notable Information:

• Actinocamax verus is an index fossil for the Santonian stage and is widely used in correlating marine sediments of this age across Europe
• This species has been found in numerous chalk quarries and coastal exposures in southern England and was part of a rich marine ecosystem including ammonites, bivalves, echinoids, and fish
• Well-preserved guards such as this are sought after by collectors and used in educational and museum contexts

Specimen Details:

• This is a genuine Actinocamax verus fossil from the white chalk cliffs near Margate, Kent
• Discovered in situ and carefully selected for clarity and preservation
• Scale cube = 1cm – See accompanying photo for accurate dimensions
• You will receive the exact specimen pictured
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity

Summary:

A beautifully preserved example of Actinocamax verus, a classic British belemnite from the Santonian-age Chalk of Kent. This fossil offers insight into the marine life of the Late Cretaceous seas that once covered much of England. An excellent addition to any collection, especially for those interested in cephalopod evolution or British chalk paleontology.