Trilobites were mostly bottom feeders – in the literal sense. While they largely kept to the ocean shallows, they preferred to stay low. Keeping to the seafloor, they survived by using their many legs to stir up edible junk for consumption (completely ignoring the three-second rule).
At least, that’s how most trilobites lived. It’s theorized that some species actually left their homes on the seafloor and ventured out into the larger ocean above them. This is as yet unconfirmed, but it’s a fascinating theory nonetheless. In general, trilobites could usually be found trawling the bottom of the ocean in shallow coastal waters.
Trilobites, at the height of their reign, existed all over the world. Almost every modern continent had a trilobite population nearby, and there weren’t many places that didn’t have some species of trilobite occupying at least a small part of the local ecosystem.
That doesn’t mean they didn’t have some favorite spots, though. The largest concentrations of trilobites could be found in warm equatorial waters, or in the now-frigid climes of the South Pole.
You may be wondering why trilobites were so common worldwide. In part, their abundance may have come from their genetic diversity. Scientists have identified thousands of different species of trilobites, and still more are being discovered all the time.
There are a few locations today that are famous for their trilobite fossils. The Acadoparadoxides briareus of Morocco, for example, are famous for their impressive size. Some are known to reach up to a foot long. As impressive as that is, though, the Moroccan trilobites have nothing on the Ogyginus forteyi fossils of Portugal – some of which are up to three feet in length! Other famous trilobite deposits include the Trenton Group in New York, the Silica Shale in Ohio, and the Burgess Shale in British Columbia. Many trilobite buyers try to find a fine specimen from each for their collection.
Of course, because of the wide geographic distribution of trilobites, there are major fossil deposits nearly everywhere. Even inland, it’s not uncommon for enterprising paleontologists to find nice, well-preserved trilobite fossils. No matter where you live, there’s probably a notable trilobite fossil zone near you.
And if not, look online. The wealth of variety from online fossil sellers is amazing. Just watch those shipping costs – these little guys are often buried in heavy rock, after all!
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/trilobita/trilobitalh.html
https://www.palaeontologyonline.com/articles/2013/fossil-focus-trilobites/
https://www.amnh.org/research/paleontology/collections/fossil-invertebrate-collection/trilobite-website/trilobite-localities
Outstanding Utaspis marjumensis Fossil Trilobite Marjum Formation Cambrian Utah
Seller: mnmark
Large Dramatic Olenoides vali Trilobite Rarity Drum Mtns. - Utah!!
Seller: richiesrocks
Teresellus goldfieldensis Trilobite Seabed Plate, Poleta Fm. Goldfield, Nevada
Seller: fossilsinc
KILLER RARE BOTHRIOLEPIS CANADENSIS ARMORED FISH FOSSIL, DEVONIAN - PRIMITIVE!
Seller: extinctions
Unprepared Olenellus chiefensis trilobite, Lower Cambrian, Nevada
Seller: fossilsinc
Fossilized Reedops Deckeri
Seller: chrisoneblue
