A newly identified species of ancient snake, vasuki signMay have been one of the largest snakes that ever existed. According to research published in, this giant reptile lived in present-day Gujarat, India about 47 million years ago scientific report. Scientists estimate that it reached an extraordinary length of about 11 to 15 meters (36 to 49 ft). Although it belonged to the extinct Madtsoidae family, researchers say it represents a unique lineage that originated in the Indian subcontinent.
The discovery comes from a specimen described by Debjit Dutta and Sunil Bajpai, who studied fossils from the Panandro lignite mine in Kutch, Gujarat state, India. These remains date back to the Middle Eocene period, approximately 47 million years ago. Name vasuki sign Honors the mythological serpent associated with the Hindu deity Shiva, as well as the country where the fossil was found.
The fossil material consists of 27 mostly well-preserved vertebrae, some still fused, indicating that they belonged to a fully grown snake. These bones provide important clues about the overall size and structure of the animal.
Size estimates suggest a giant snake
Each vertebra measures between 37.5 and 62.7 millimeters (1.48 to 2.47 in) in length and 62.4 and 111.4 millimeters (2.46 to 4.39 in) in width. These dimensions point to a thick, cylindrical body. Based on these measurements, researchers estimate that the snake had a total length of approximately 10.9 to 15.2 meters (35.8 to 49.9 ft).
he puts vasuki sign In the same size range as Titanoboa, the largest snake ever discovered, although scientists say there is still some uncertainty in these estimates. Given its massive build, the snake was probably slow-moving and relied on ambush tactics similar to modern anacondas.
a widespread ancient snake family
Researchers classify vasuki sign Within the family Madtsoidae, a group of snakes that existed for about 100 million years from the Late Cretaceous to the Late Pleistocene. Members of this family lived across a wide geographic area, including Africa, Europe, and India.
Study shows vasuki sign It may have belonged to a group of large madutsoid snakes that first evolved in India. From there, these snakes may have spread into southern Europe and Africa during the Eocene, a period that lasted from about 56 to 34 million years ago.