By Sheetal Kumari | July 16, 2025
Scientists in India have uncovered fossils of Vasuki Indicus, a prehistoric snake measuring up to 50 feet, among the largest ever discovered.
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The snake was named Vasuki Indicus, after the mighty serpent Vasuki from Hindu mythology, which coils around Lord Shiva’s neck.
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Researchers at IIT Roorkee discovered 27 fossilized vertebrae in Gujarat’s coal mines, initially mistaking them for crocodile remains.
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With an estimated length of 36 to 50 feet, Vasuki Indicus rivaled Titanoboa, the largest known snake, and may have weighed around 2,200 pounds.
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This ancient snake thrived in warm temperatures of around 28°C, which helped it grow to enormous sizes, much like modern cold-blooded reptiles.
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Vasuki Indicus likely used constriction to capture prey, similar to modern pythons, thriving in an ecosystem with fish, turtles, and early whales.
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It belonged to the Madtsoiidae family, a lineage of massive snakes spanning 100 million years across India, Africa, and Europe.
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The discovery challenges previous ideas about snake evolution, proving that ancient serpents diversified and adapted uniquely in different regions.
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This find enriches India’s paleontological heritage, revealing an era of giant predators and expanding our knowledge of prehistoric biodiversity.
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Vasuki Indicus provides a rare glimpse into Earth’s ancient ecosystems, helping scientists piece together the evolution of massive prehistoric reptiles.
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