Govind Tekale
Researchers have discovered fossilized remains of a massive ancient snake species in the state of Gujarat.
Photo Source: Google
The giant snake specimen has been dubbed Vasuki indicus, taking inspiration from the mythical serpent king Vasuki from Hindu mythology.
Estimates by the researchers put the snake between 10.9 to 15.2 meters (36 to 50 feet) in length.
The fossils were recovered from the Panandhro Lignite Mine, Kutch district.
The paleontological find consists of 27 well-preserved vertebrae in a well=preserved condition.
The mine where the excavation tool place was part of the Naredi Formation dating back to the Middle Eocene epoch approximately 47 million years ago
The discovery was made by paleontologists Sunil Bajpai and Debajit Datta from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee.
The large size of Vasuki indicus suggests that it was a slow-moving, ambush predator akin to an anaconda.
Based on the dimensions of the largest vertebra, which measures 11 cm (4.3 inches) in width, the researchers were able to estimate the snake's actual length.
The discovery of Vasuki indicus sheds light on the dispersal of Madtsoiidae snakes across continents during the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwanaland.
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