Scientists in India have unearthed the fossil remains of Vasuki indicus, one of the largest snakes to have ever slithered the Earth. The fossilized vertebrae, found in a lignite mine in Gujarat, an area known for its rich fossil deposits, suggest the serpent could have reached lengths of up to 49 feet (15 meters), larger than a Tyrannosaurus rex.
According to the study published in the journal Scientific Reports, paleontologists found 27 vertebrae, some still in their original alignment, allowing them to reconstruct the snake’s possible size and movements. Vasuki indicus, named after the mythical snake king in Hindu mythology, is believed to have lived around 47 million years ago, during a period when the climate was much warmer than today.
The Giant Snake of the Past
The snake is thought to have been a slow-moving ambush predator, much like modern pythons and anacondas.
“Considering its large size, Vasuki was a slow-moving ambush predator that would subdue its prey through constriction,” explained Debajit Datta, the lead researcher from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR).
As noted in the study, this predatory behavior suggests that Vasuki likely preyed on large animals, possibly including crocodilians, turtles, and even fish. The climate during Vasuki’s era, when global temperatures were higher than they are today, likely provided the ideal conditions for such enormous reptiles to thrive in swampy environments.
The snake’s body, estimated to be nearly 17 inches (44 cm) wide, would have made it an imposing figure in its ecosystem.
Titanoboa: A Legendary Creature and Its Legacy
The discovery of Titanoboa, a similarly massive snake, in northern Colombia back in 2009 offered another glimpse into the world of prehistoric serpents. According to Sunil Bajpai, a paleontologist at IITR, the size of Vasuki compares closely with Titanoboa.
“The estimated body length of Vasuki is comparable to that of Titanoboa, although the vertebrae of Titanoboa are slightly larger than those of Vasuki. However, at this point, we cannot say if Vasuki was more massive or slender compared to Titanoboa.”
While Titanoboa reached lengths of about 42 feet (13 meters), Vasuki could have been even longer, with estimates ranging from 36 to 49 feet (11 to 15 meters). However, Bajpai notes that it is too early to determine which of the two snakes was more massive, as more fossil evidence is needed for a complete comparison.
These ancient snakes lived during the Cenozoic era, following the extinction of dinosaurs, and represent some of the largest creatures to ever exist in the animal kingdom.
An Ancient Predator’s Lifestyle
Scientists believe the snake likely spent much of its time coiled up in swamps, moving sluggishly through the water and resting for long periods. “Vasuki was a majestic animal,” said Datta. Its slow movements would have been complemented by a methodical approach to hunting, waiting for prey to come near before striking.
Although the skull was not recovered, the fossilized vertebrae provide a clear picture of the snake’s massive body and slow-moving lifestyle. The largest vertebra found measures 4.5 inches (11.1 cm) wide, further supporting the idea of a snake built for power rather than speed. The remains suggest that Vasuki may have been one of the last surviving members of the Madtsoiidae family, which dominated the late dinosaur era before its decline about 12,000 years ago.
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