In a groundbreaking find, scientists from IIT Roorkee have documented fossils of a novel snake species that inhabited Gujarat approximately 47 million years ago, potentially ranking among the largest ancient snakes ever to roam India.
Giant Snake species discovered by IIT Roorkee Experts.
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Research conducted by Prof. Sunil Bajpai and postdoctoral researcher Debajit Datta from IIT Roorkee revealed that the ancient snake species, formally named Vasuki Indicus and belonging to the extinct madtsoiidae snake family, had a projected length ranging from 11 to 15 meters.
The Research:
In their study, the authors detailed 27 intact vertebrae, with some exhibiting articulation, suggesting they originated from a fully matured creature.
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Additionally, the vertebrae ranged from 37.5 to 62.7 millimeters in length and 62.4 to 111.4 millimeters in width, indicating a wide, cylindrical body structure.
Ranking Among the Lengthiest Serpents in History
Research findings suggest Vasuki Indicus could have reached lengths ranging from 10.9 to 15.2 meters, making it comparable in size to the extinct Titanoboa, the longest known snake species in history.
The study proposed that Vasuki Indicus, due to its considerable size, adopted a hunting strategy similar to that of an anaconda, moving slowly and relying on ambush tactics.