Palaeontologists in India have made a remarkable discovery, uncovering the fossilised remains of a formidable creature from ancient times — a colossal predator snake estimated to rival the size of the longest snake ever recorded. These fossilised remains, stretching between 10 to 15 meters in length, were unearthed in Gujarat’s Panandhro Lignite Mine located in Kutch. Remarkably, these fossils date back an astonishing 47 million years, shedding light on a distant era of Earth’s history. The giant serpent has been scientifically named Vasuki Indicus, a reference to the snake in Hindu mythology named Vasuki.
The findings by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Debajit Datta, a postdoctoral fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) and co-author of a study called the naming of the species very symbolic as a similarly described serpent in ancient scriptures has been worshipped by the name Vasuki since time immemorial. Professor Sunil Bajpai and Debajit Datta, both from IIT Roorkee, made the significant discovery at the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch. They stumbled upon 27 pieces of a “partial, well-preserved” vertebral column belonging to the snake.
The researchers propose that Vasuki indicus may have rivaled the renowned Titanoboa in size. During the reptile’s existence, Earth’s geography differed significantly from its current state. Africa, India, and South America were joined together as a single landmass. Vasuki Indicus is believed to have possessed a broad and cylindrical body, indicating a robust and powerful build
This monstrous snake is believed to have been one of the largest predators known during the period spanning from the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago to the emergence of Megalodon approximately 23 million years ago. However, the authors of the study acknowledge the uncertainties surrounding their size estimates for Vasuki indices. They also speculate on the behaviour of Vasuki, suggesting that it may have been too large to actively hunt and instead may have behaved similarly to modern anacondas and large pythonids, ambushing and overpowering its prey.
“This discovery is significant not only for understanding the ancient ecosystems of India but also for unravelling the evolutionary history of snakes on the Indian subcontinent. It underscores the importance of preserving our natural history and highlights the role of research in unveiling the mysteries of our past,” Dr. Bajpai, said in a statement.
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