Researchers have recently made a significant breakthrough by uncovering the fossilized remnants of a mysterious snake species in Gujarat, India. This particular species is thought to have inhabited the region approximately 47 million years ago.
The research findings detailed in the publication ‘Scientific Reports’ reveal that researchers have christened the snake as Vasuki indicus, in honour of the serpent king linked to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have reached lengths of 11-15 meters and weighed close to a metric ton. A total of 27 vertebrae have been unearthed from this specimen. Had the snake been alive today, it would have resembled a large python and would not have been venomous.
The discovery of Vasuki Indicus in the Panandhro Lignite Mine situated in Kutch, Gujarat, was led by Professor Sunil Bajpai and post-doctoral researcher Debajit Datta. These findings, which have been published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Nature Scientific Reports, provide valuable insights into a distinct lineage of snakes from India that belonged to the now-extinct Madtsoiidae snake family.
The species, part of the extinct Madtsoiidae snake family, is a distinct lineage that emerged in India, according to the research findings. Additionally, the study indicated that the snake’s size is similar to that of the largest snake ever recorded, the extinct Titanoboa. This snake is believed to be spanning from the “Late Cretaceous” to the “Late Pleistocene,” and inhabited a wide geographic area encompassing Africa, Europe, and India.
Dr. Bajpai, in a statement, underscored the significance of safeguarding natural history and the pivotal role that research plays in unravelling the enigmas of our bygone era. The unearthing of Vasuki Indicus not only enhances our comprehension of ancient ecosystems in India but also makes a substantial contribution to the evolutionary chronicle of snakes on the Indian subcontinent.
