NEW DELHI – New analysis of vertebral fossils discovered in western India has revealed the existence of the speciesthey are monsters which may have been about 11 to 15 meters (36.1 to 49.2 ft) long at maturity.
The researchers behind the study, from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, admit there is uncertainty in their estimates, but they suggest that this newly identified reptile, which they named Vasuki indicus, may have been the same size as the largest snake in history, Titanoboa, which became extinct about 58 million years ago.
The discovery is based on vertebral fragments found in the Kota Kachchh Formation in Gujarat, India. These bones are estimated to be around 47 million years old, dating from the Eocene period.
As reported by Science Alert, the researchers used computer modeling techniques to reconstruct the size and shape of the snake. They found that Vasuki indicus had a thick, muscular body with a long, strong tail.
This snake was likely the top predator in its environment, eating large prey such as crocodiles and small dinosaurs.
The discovery of Vasuki indicus adds to the diversity of known prehistoric snakes and provides more insight into the evolution of giant snakes.
It also shows that India was home to some of the fiercest predators on Earth during the Eocene period.
