Researchers in India have made a groundbreaking discovery: the fossilized remains of a colossal serpent dating back 47 million years. This ancient snake, possibly the largest ever recorded, has been named Vasuki Indicus, after the mythological king of serpents in Hinduism. Found in Gujarat state at the Panandhro Lignite Mine, the fossils include 27 vertebrae, providing insights into its size and characteristics.
Measuring up to an estimated 50 feet (15 meters) in length, Vasuki Indicus surpasses the previous record-holder, Titanoboa, by approximately 6.5 feet (2 meters). Its broad, cylindrical body suggests a primarily terrestrial lifestyle, typical of the Madtsoiidae group to which it belongs.
Using modern snake data, researchers estimated Vasuki Indicus’s length, though uncertainties remain due to its evolutionary distance from extant species. Nonetheless, this serpent’s potential size exceeds that of Titanoboa cerrejonensis, previously thought to be the largest snake known to science.
Speculations about Vasuki Indicus’s behavior suggest it was an ambush predator, relying on constriction to subdue prey, akin to modern anacondas. Its existence indicates a warm climate, around 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), prevalent during its time.
Despite these discoveries, much about Vasuki Indicus remains a mystery. Researchers aim to analyze the fossils further, hoping to uncover insights into its diet and muscular structure through carbon and oxygen analysis.