50-foot ancient snake discovered in India may be one of the largest ever

Fossilized vertebrae unearthed in a Gujarat lignite mine reveal a 47-million-year-old snake that rivaled Titanoboa in size. | Contesto: cronaca

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• 50-foot ancient snake discovered in India may be one of the largest ever

Contesto

A massive prehistoric snake that slithered across what is now India around 47 million years ago may rank among the largest serpents ever to have lived, according to a new study of fossilized remains. Named Vasuki indicus, the ancient giant is estimated to have stretched between 11 and 15 meters in length—rivaling the legendary Titanoboa, which held the previous record for the largest snake known to science. The discovery was made from vertebrae unearthed at a lignite mine in Gujarat, western India, offering a rare glimpse into the continent’s prehistoric megafauna. The fossils, described as thick and robust, suggest Vasuki indicus was a slow-moving, powerful predator built for stealthy ambush attacks, similar to modern anacondas. Its massive size would have allowed it to prey on large animals in its environment, likely including early mammals and reptiles. The snake’s name derives from Vasuki, the serpent king in Hindu mythology, and indicus for its Indian origin, underscoring its cultural and scientific significance. This discovery adds a critical piece to the puzzle of snake evolution, particularly during the Eocene epoch, a period of warm global climates when many giant reptiles thrived. While Titanoboa, found in Colombia, dates to around 58 million years ago and reached lengths of up to 13 meters, Vasuki indicus now presents a close contender, suggesting that giant snakes may have evolved independently in different parts of the world under similar tropical conditions. The Gujarat lignite mine, known for preserving ancient ecosystems, has yielded other fossils before, but the Vasuki indicus vertebrae stand out for their size and completeness. Researchers were able to estimate the snake’s length by comparing the vertebrae to those of modern snakes, though exact measurements remain uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of the remains. The study highlights the importance of such deposits in reconstructing lost worlds. Beyond its sheer size, Vasuki indicus raises questions about the ecological role of giant snakes in ancient Indian ecosystems. Could it have been an apex predator, shaping the behavior and evolution of its prey? Or did it face competition from...

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Categoria: cronaca