Imagine a snake as long as a school bus! Paleontologists in India have unearthed a colossal fossil that could be the world’s largest snake ever discovered.
Found in Gujarat’s Panandhro Lignite Mine, the fossilized remains, estimated to be 47 million years old, belong to a giant predator snake named Vasuki Indicus, a namesake of the revered serpent deity in Hindu mythology.
The discovery, made by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), sheds light on a distant era and rewrites the record books on snake size. The creature’s estimated length ranges from 10 to 15 meters, rivaling the infamous Titanoboa from a time when Earth’s continents were drastically different.
The fossilized remains include 27 pieces of a well-preserved vertebral column, suggesting a broad and powerful build. Researchers believe Vasuki Indicus may have been an ambush predator, similar to modern anacondas, due to its immense size. Its swampy habitat and a warmer global climate likely contributed to its massive growth.
This discovery holds immense significance. It not only unveils a fearsome predator that thrived after the dinosaurs’ extinction but also offers valuable insights into the evolution of snakes on the Indian subcontinent. It highlights the importance of paleontology in unraveling Earth’s past and the countless mysteries buried beneath our feet.