Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have uncovered fossils of one of the largest snakes ever known, dating back approximately 47 million years to the Middle Eocene epoch. Discovered in Kutch, Gujarat, the snake, named Vasuki indicus after the mythical serpent associated with the Hindu deity Shiva, is estimated to have reached lengths of up to 15 meters (50 feet), making it comparable in size to a modern-day school bus and even longer than the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.

This astounding discovery, made through fossilized vertebrae unearthed in a mine in western India, sheds light on a colossal snake that belonged to the now-extinct Madtsoiidae family. According to researchers, Vasuki indicus represents a distinct lineage unique to India and offers a rare glimpse into the serpentine giants of the ancient world, rivalling the enormous prehistoric snake, Titanoboa.

References Found in Indian Mythology

According to ancient Hindu texts, Vasuki is one of the sons of the sage Kashyapa and Kadru. He plays a significant role in the legend of Samudra Manthana, where he allowed both the devas and the asuras to use him as their churning rope. They bound him to Mount Mandara to churn the Ocean of Milk and extract the amrita.

A Serpentine Giant: Vasuki Indicus

The remains of Vasuki indicus were discovered in 2005 in a lignite mine in Panandhro, located in Gujarat state, western India. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee meticulously analyzed 27 fossilized vertebrae, some of which were still articulated as they would have been in life. Based on the size and shape of these vertebrae, scientists estimated that Vasuki ranged from 10.9 meters (36 feet) to a staggering 15.2 meters (50 feet) in length, with a broad, cylindrical body approximately 44 centimetres wide. The largest vertebra measured about 11 centimetres (4 inches) across.

Vasuki indicus was a member of the now-extinct Madtsoiidae snake family, a group of large constrictors that thrived from the late Cretaceous period to the early Cenozoic era. These snakes were dominant predators during their time, spreading from India through southern Eurasia to North Africa after the Indian subcontinent’s collision with Eurasia around 50 million years ago.

Life and Times of a Prehistoric Predator

Living around 47 million years ago during the Cenozoic era, Vasuki indicus would have prowled the swampy regions of what is now India. The environment it inhabited was rich with potential prey, including catfish, turtles, crocodiles, and primitive whales. As an ambush predator, Vasuki likely relied on its massive size and strength to subdue prey through constriction, much like modern-day pythons and anacondas.

The discovery of Vasuki indicus adds a new chapter to our understanding of prehistoric life and the evolutionary history of snakes. It also underscores the significance of India’s fossil record in unravelling the mysteries of ancient ecosystems.

Comparing Giants: Vasuki Indicus and Titanoboa

In 2009, palaeontologists discovered another enormous snake, Titanoboa cerrejonensis, in a coal mine in northern Colombia. Titanoboa, which lived between 58 million and 60 million years ago, is estimated to have been about 13 meters (43 feet) long and weighed over one tonne. While Titanoboa holds the title for the largest snake by mass, Vasuki indicus potentially surpasses it in length.

Both snakes thrived in warm, humid environments, which allowed them to grow to such extraordinary sizes. However, the rapid rate of current global warming poses challenges to the re-evolution of such giant reptiles, as the environmental changes are occurring too swiftly for evolutionary adaptations.

A Legacy of Giants

The Madtsoiidae family, to which Vasuki indicus belonged, emerged around 90 million years ago and persisted until about 12,000 years ago. This family was a dominant force during the late stages of the dinosaur age and into the early Cenozoic. The decline in their diversity and eventual extinction might have been influenced by climatic changes and the advent of new predators and competitors.

The discovery of Vasuki indicus not only highlights the impressive scale of prehistoric life but also serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between climate, environment, and evolution. As scientists continue to explore fossil sites, we can expect more revelations about these ancient giants and the world they inhabited.

The unearthing of Vasuki indicus enriches our understanding of prehistoric biodiversity and the evolutionary history of snakes. It stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring scale of nature’s creations and the ever-unfolding story of life on Earth.