This genus is known from the Petropavlovka Formation in Russia, dating to the Olenekian age (early Triassic).

[1] The genus is named after David Attenborough for his work in conservation and science communication, whose name was combined with "Limulus", the most well documented living genus of horseshoe crab.

The specific epithet "superspinosus" reflects the species' hypertrophied genal spines.

While the beds of the Petropavlovka Formation are mostly red in colour, Attenborolimulus specimens were instead discovered within a one metre thick lens of grey siltstone to sandstone.

This sediment likely accumulated within an ephemeral pond during a flood.