Eurypterus remipes
Upper Silurian
Bertie Group, Fiddler Green Formation, Phelps Member
Herkimer Co, NY

A member of one of the first animal groups to venture onto land. Around 400 millions of years ago this extinct group of arthropods known as eurypterids made their way into freshwater and onto land. Some of the appendages are missing but the head, main body, and lower body within which the tail is located are well preserved. The two swimming legs are visible and one of six walking legs. The sockets for the compound eye are visible. The length of this fossil is approximately 6 in. from head to tail. The largest one ever found is 4.3 ft. display at the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, NY.