Fossil vertebrae unearthed in a mine in western India are the remains of one of the largest snakes that ever lived, a monster estimated at up to 15 metres in length – longer than a T rex.
Scientists discover enormous fossil of the world’s ‘largest snake’ in Kutch, Gujarat. The snake is estimated to be between roughly 11 and 15 metres long, comparable in size only to the extinct Titanoboa, known to be the longest snake to have ever lived, the researchers said.
Fossils recovered from Kutch in Gujarat may have belonged to the spine of one of the largest snakes to have ever lived, according to new research from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.From the Panandhro Lignite Mine, researchers discovered 27 “mostly well-preserved” bones forming the snake’s spinal column, or vertebra, with some connections still intact. They said the vertebrae appeared to be from a fully-grown animal.
The discovery of Vasuki Indicus is truly remarkable, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ancient ecosystems of Gujarat, dating back a staggering 47 million years. The size of this colossal snake, comparable to Titanoboa, suggests it played a crucial role as a predator in its environment, highlighting the diverse range of species that once roamed the Earth.
In a significant discovery, paleontologists in Gujarat have unearthed remains of the world’s ‘largest snake’ that once roamed the Earth. The massive predator snake dates back to ancient times and is estimated to be comparable in size to the longest snake ever recorded. This enormous serpent, scientifically named Vasuki Indicus, shares its name with the serpent Vasuki from Hindu mythology.
In Hindu mythology, Vasuki is a powerful serpent deity often depicted as the king of serpents. As one of the prominent Nagas, Vasuki plays significant roles in various Hindu epics and scriptures, symbolising divine protection.
The fossilised remains are between 10 to 15 meters in length and were found in Gujarat’s Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch. The scientists are amazed as the age of these fossils is 47 million years! It also tells a lot about a distant era of Earth’s history.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) made a groundbreaking discovery, detailed in a report published in the journal Scientific Reports. Debajit Datta, a postdoctoral fellow at IIT Roorkee and co-author of the study, stressed the symbolic importance of naming the species. He highlighted that a serpent described similarly in ancient Hindu scriptures has been revered for countless ages under the name Vasuki.
Professor Sunil Bajpai and Debajit Datta from IIT Roorkee made the significant discovery and described that they stumbled upon 27 pieces of a “partial, well-preserved” vertebral column belonging to the snake.
The researchers are of the view that Vasuki indicus may have rivaled the size of the renowned Titanoboa. This reptile thrived in an era when the Earth’s landscape looked markedly dissimilar from its present state, with Africa, India, and South America united as a singular landmass. Vasuki indicus is believed to have possessed a wide and cylindrical body, indicating a powerful and sturdy build.
Debajit Datta explained, “Vasuki was a majestic animal,” a postdoctoral researcher in paleontology at IIT-Roorkee and the lead author of the study. “It may well have been a gentle giant, resting its head on a high porch formed by coiling its massive body for most parts of the day or moving sluggishly through the swamp like an endless train”.
The snake’s habitat, situated in a marshy swamp near the coast, existed within a warmer global climate compared to the present day. This warmer environment likely played a role in facilitating its immense size.
This giant serpent is thought to have been among the most formidable predators from the time of the dinosaurs’ extinction 65 million years ago to the emergence of Megalodon around 23 million years ago. Yet, the study’s authors concede uncertainties regarding their size estimations for Vasuki indicus.
As scientists delve deeper into the remains of Vasuki indicus, the world eagerly anticipates additional discoveries about this prehistoric behemoth. The fossil not only unveils a remarkable
