Ammonites were ancient marine creatures that lived millions of years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. They belonged to a group of animals called cephalopods, which also includes modern-day squids and octopuses. Ammonites had spiral-shaped shells that protected their soft bodies and helped them float in the ocean. Their unique shell patterns make them popular among fossil collectors today. These fascinating creatures thrived in the oceans for over 300 million years before going extinct around 66 million years ago, likely due to the same mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. Ammonite fossils can be found all over the world, providing valuable insights into ancient marine ecosystems.