Snake fossil in Kutch: Recent research conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee suggests that fossils recovered from Kutch in Gujarat may belong to one of the largest snakes ever to have existed.
The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, reveal the discovery of 27 well-preserved bones forming the spinal column, or vertebra, of what appears to be a fully-grown snake.
The snake fossil specimens, unearthed from the Panandhro Lignite Mine, hint at the enormity of the snake, estimated to measure between roughly 11 and 15 metre in length.
This places it in the league of the extinct Titanoboa, known as the longest snake in the history. After the snake fossil was found, researchers speculated that due to its size, the snake may have been a slow-moving ambush predator, akin to the modern-day anaconda.
Dubbed ‘Vasuki Indicus’ (V Indicus) after the mythical snake often depicted around the neck of the Hindu deity Shiva and in acknowledgment of its Indian origins, the newly identified species is believed to have belonged to the now-extinct madtsoiidae family. This family of snakes was known to have inhabited various regions, including Africa, Europe and India.
The study of the snake fossil suggests that Vasuki Indicus represents a unique lineage originating in India during the Eocene period, approximately 47 million years ago.
The vertebrae, ranging from 38 to 62 millimetre in length and 62 to 111 millimetre in width, indicate that the snake may have possessed a broad, cylindrical body.
Despite uncertainties in estimations, researchers speculate that V Indicus could have reached lengths comparable to Titanoboa. This discovery sheds light on the evolution and diversity of ancient snake species, providing valuable insights into the prehistoric ecosystems of the Indian subcontinent.
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