Kimberella Plush

Kimberella was a soft-bodied marine organism that lived around 555 million years ago during the late Ediacaran period. Its fossils, mostly found in modern-day Russia, reveal a bilaterally symmetrical body with an oval shape and a tough outer surface, which may have served as protection from environmental hazards.

This ancient creature is particularly interesting because it shows early signs of features seen in more advanced animals. Its body structure suggests it had a muscular foot, likely used for movement along the seafloor. Additionally, fossil evidence indicates it may have scraped up food from microbial mats, possibly with a specialised feeding structure similar to a radula.

The significance of Kimberella lies in its contribution to our understanding of early animal evolution. Its characteristics suggest a link to molluscs and provide a glimpse into the diversity of life before the Cambrian explosion. Studying Kimberella helps scientists piece together the development of more complex organisms in Earth’s ancient oceans.

Back width: 18cm (7.1")
Back to belly thickness: 8cm (3.1")
Length from tentacle to tail: 28cm (11")