Wiwaxia corrugata
Cambrian mollusk (?)

Wiwaxia is a soft-bodied animal covered with scales and spines for protection. It crawled along the ocean floor during the Cambrian Period, 520 million years ago. It was quite small, reaching lengths of 2 inches. This species is commonly known from a world-famous fossil locality in Canada, the Burgess Shale.

Wiwaxia fossils have been found worldwide, from Canada and China to the Czech Republic and Australia! This strange animal was once thought to be related to annelid worms. More recently, it has been classified as an early mollusk based in part on its mouthparts and growth history.

Length: 4 inches