Researchers have identified a massive prehistoric snake, Vasuki indicus, which lived in India approximately 47 million years ago and may have reached lengths of up to 15.2 meters.
Key facts
- •Vasuki indicus is named after the mythical serpent associated with the Hindu deity Shiva.
- •The snake lived approximately 47 million years ago during the Middle Eocene period.
- •Researchers identified the species from 27 fossilized vertebrae found in the Kutch region of Gujarat.
- •The snake's estimated length of 10.9 to 15.2 meters places it in the same size category as the extinct Titanoboa.
- •The discovery suggests a diverse community of ancient reptiles, including other madtsoiid snakes, inhabited the region.
Paleontologists have identified a new species of prehistoric snake, Vasuki indicus, from fossils unearthed in Gujarat, India. Dating back to the Middle Eocene, approximately 47 million years ago, the snake is estimated to have reached between 10.9 and 15.2 meters in length. The discovery, detailed in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests the reptile was one of the largest snakes to ever exist, potentially rivaling the extinct Titanoboa.
By the numbers
Fossil Analysis and Physical Characteristics
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee identified the species after examining 27 well-preserved fossilized vertebrae recovered from the Panandhro Lignite Mine. The vertebrae, which appear to have belonged to a fully grown animal, measured up to 62.7 millimeters in length and 111.4 millimeters in width. Their broad, cylindrical shape suggests the snake possessed a thick body capable of supporting significant weight.
Behavior and Habitat
Due to its massive size and vertebral structure, scientists believe Vasuki was likely a slow-moving ambush predator rather than an active hunter. It may have occupied swampy or marshy environments, using constriction to overpower prey in a manner similar to modern anacondas and pythons. The region where it lived was tropical, with average temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius, which likely supported the growth of such large ectothermic reptiles.
Evolutionary Lineage
Vasuki indicus belongs to the extinct family Madtsoiidae, which persisted for roughly 100 million years. The species represents a distinct evolutionary lineage within this family, with close relatives including Madtsoia pisdurensis and Gigantophis garstini. Researchers suggest this lineage may have originated on the Indian subcontinent before dispersing into Eurasia and Africa as geographic connections shifted during the Eocene.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ScienceDaily.
