Specimen Database

Fossil & Bone ID Guide

From Precambrian stromatolites to Cenozoic megafauna. Identify 795+ specimens with era classification, regional collecting data, and field identification tips built for real outings.

795 specimens cataloged across every geological era

All Specimens

Verified by TroveRadar Field Database
Updated March 2026
795+ Specimens Cataloged
🦴

Iowa Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Iowa fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Illinois Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Illinois fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Indiana Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Indiana fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Ohio Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Ohio fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Ohio Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Ohio fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Pennsylvania Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Pennsylvania fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

West Virginia Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic West Virginia fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Kentucky Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Kentucky fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Indiana Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Indiana fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

New York Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic New York fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, glacial gravels, and coastal shell beds, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodNortheast
🦴

Pennsylvania Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Pennsylvania fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, glacial gravels, and coastal shell beds, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodNortheast
🦴

New Jersey Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic New Jersey fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, glacial gravels, and coastal shell beds, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodNortheast
🦴

West Virginia Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic West Virginia fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodAppalachians
🦴

Virginia Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Virginia fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodAppalachians
🦴

North Carolina Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic North Carolina fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodAppalachians
🦴

Tennessee Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Tennessee fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodAppalachians
🦴

Kentucky Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Kentucky fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodAppalachians
🦴

Arkansas Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Arkansas fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Mississippian limestones, chert gravels, and shale roadcuts, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodOzarks
🦴

Missouri Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Missouri fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Mississippian limestones, chert gravels, and shale roadcuts, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodOzarks
🦴

Oklahoma Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Oklahoma fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Mississippian limestones, chert gravels, and shale roadcuts, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodOzarks
🦴

Minnesota Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Minnesota fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodGreat Lakes
🦴

Wisconsin Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Wisconsin fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodGreat Lakes
🦴

Michigan Trilobite

arthropod

Trilobite is a realistic Michigan fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

PaleozoicarthropodGreat Lakes
🦴

Iowa Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Iowa fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Illinois Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Illinois fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Indiana Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Indiana fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Ohio Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Ohio fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodUpper Midwest
🦴

Minnesota Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Minnesota fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodGreat Lakes
🦴

Wisconsin Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Wisconsin fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodGreat Lakes
🦴

Michigan Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Michigan fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodGreat Lakes
🦴

Ohio Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Ohio fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Pennsylvania Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Pennsylvania fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

West Virginia Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic West Virginia fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Kentucky Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Kentucky fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Indiana Isotelus Trilobite

arthropod

Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Indiana fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

OrdovicianarthropodInterior Northeast
🦴

Colorado Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Colorado fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning Morrison outcrops, Green River beds, and uplifted marine limestones, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodCentral Rockies
🦴

Utah Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Utah fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning Morrison outcrops, Green River beds, and uplifted marine limestones, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodCentral Rockies
🦴

Arizona Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Arizona fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodDesert Southwest
🦴

Nevada Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Nevada fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodDesert Southwest
🦴

Utah Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Utah fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodDesert Southwest
🦴

New Mexico Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic New Mexico fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodDesert Southwest
🦴

Montana Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Montana fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodNorthern Rockies
🦴

Idaho Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Idaho fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodNorthern Rockies
🦴

Wyoming Elrathia Trilobite

arthropod

Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Wyoming fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

CambrianarthropodNorthern Rockies
🦴

North Dakota Ammonite

cephalopod

Ammonite is a realistic North Dakota fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

MesozoiccephalopodGreat Plains
🦴

South Dakota Ammonite

cephalopod

Ammonite is a realistic South Dakota fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

MesozoiccephalopodGreat Plains
🦴

Nebraska Ammonite

cephalopod

Ammonite is a realistic Nebraska fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

MesozoiccephalopodGreat Plains
🦴

Kansas Ammonite

cephalopod

Ammonite is a realistic Kansas fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

MesozoiccephalopodGreat Plains
🦴

Oklahoma Ammonite

cephalopod

Ammonite is a realistic Oklahoma fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

MesozoiccephalopodGreat Plains
🦴

Montana Ammonite

cephalopod

Ammonite is a realistic Montana fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.

MesozoiccephalopodNorthern Rockies

Showing 50 of 795 entries

🧭

Take TroveRadar Into the Field

Pin fossil finds to your field journal to your field journal. Get offline maps, real-time species ID, and community find reports.

How many fossil specimens does TroveRadar cover?
TroveRadar catalogs 795+ fossil and bone specimens found across North America, organized by geological era, type, and region with detailed identification tips for each entry.
Is it legal to collect fossils?
Fossil collecting laws vary significantly by state, land ownership, and fossil type. Common invertebrate fossils are often collectible on some public lands, while vertebrate fossils typically require permits. Always check local regulations before collecting — our State Guides section covers the rules for all 50 states.
What equipment do I need for fossil hunting?
Basic fossil hunting requires a rock hammer, safety glasses, chisels, a field notebook, and specimen bags. For more advanced outings, consider a geological survey map, GPS device, and proper safety gear. Check our Gear section for detailed reviews of fossil hunting equipment.