A belemnite is an extinct marine cephalopod that lived during the Mesozoic Era, particularly from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous periods. They are characterized by their bullet-shaped, elongated shells, which resemble modern squid. Belemnites are often found as fossils and are believed to have been agile predators in ancient oceans, similar to today's squids and cuttlefish. Their hard, internal shells, known as belemnite guards, are commonly used in geological studies to date rock layers.