Vasuki Indicus: Gujarat Yields Fossil of “Largest Snake to Have Ever Existed,” Ousting Titanoboa

Scientists have found the fossil remains of the largest snake that ever lived in Gujarat, India. Named ‘Vasuki Indicus’ after the snake king associated with Lord Shiva, this discovery indicates India’s significant role in the origin and evolutionary process of different species, particularly reptiles. The 27 discovered vertebrae suggest the snake was not venomous and likely resembled a large python.

Estimated to be between 11-15 meters in length and weighing around 1 tonne, Vasuki was believed to be a slow-moving ambush predator that subdued its prey through constriction, similar to anacondas and pythons. Comparisons have been drawn between Vasuki and Titanoboa, a giant snake that lived in Colombia around 60 million years ago. While the estimated body length of Vasuki is similar to that of Titanoboa, there are differences in the size of their vertebrae, making it unclear whether Vasuki was more massive or slender in comparison.

The discovery provides insights into the evolution of snakes, as well as valuable information about the shifting of continents and the dispersion of species across the globe. The fossil was found in a dry and dusty area, but it is believed that it was a swampy environment when Vasuki inhabited the Earth. This discovery not only sheds light on the evolution of snakes, but also provides a deeper understanding of how continents physically shifted over time and how species dispersed across the globe.