Hiss-toric Discovery: 49-Foot Vasuki Indicus Uncoils as World’s Longest Snake

In a finding that has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, paleontologists have discovered Vasuki indicus—the longest snake ever—the massive creature measuring a staggering 49 feet (15 meters) in length. The ancient reptile, estimated to have weighed one tonne, was excavated from the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Gujarat's Kutch district and dates back 47 million years to the Eocene era.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠Vasuki indicus was an extinct madtsoiid species found only in India and even exceeds the mythological Titanoboa in its length.

 

•⁠  ⁠The fossil, comprising 27 vertebrae, indicates a broad, cylindrical body—suggesting it was a land-dwelling ambush predator, likely subduing prey by constriction.

 

•⁠  ⁠Scientists estimate that the snake lived in a warm swampy habitat, with average temperatures of approximately 28°C. The genus was named Vasuki after the mythical snake Vasuki in Hindu mythology, reflecting its Indian origin and cultural importance.

 

Prognosis: The finding of Vasuki indicus not only rewrites the textbooks on snake length but also underscores India's central role in the history of ancient reptiles. Although scientists are still occupied analyzing its lineage, the find may provide new clues to prehistoric life and how giant snakes moved between continents.

 

Source: India.com