A fossilized vertebrae of 'Vasuki Indicus' discovered in Gujarat

It surpasses even the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in length

Scientists from IIT-Roorkee recently confirmed it as a behemoth

A fossilized vertebrae discovered in Gujarat has unveiled the remnants of the largest snake ever to have roamed the Earth, surpassing even the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in length.

This snake named after Vasuki, the serpent king of Hindu mythology associated with Lord Shiva, ‘Vasuki Indicus’ challenges the reign of Titanoboa, a colossal snake that inhabited Colombia some 60 million years ago. While comparable in length, Vasuki’s precise proportions remain a subject of speculation.

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Unearthed in 2005 by scientists from IIT-Roorkee, this colossal snake named as ‘Vasuki Indicus,’ was recently confirmed as a behemoth of prehistoric proportions.

The finding, detailed in a study published in ‘Scientific Reports’ on ‘Springer Nature.’ Reportedly, according to researchers, the specimen consists of 27 vertebrae, resembling those of a giant python, suggesting a non-venomous nature. Estimated to measure between 11 to 15 meters (approximately 50 feet) in length and weighing around one tonne, Vasuki Indicus likely dominated its ancient habitat.

Debajit Datta, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in palaeontology at IIT-Roorkee, reportedly described Vasuki as a sluggish ambush predator, relying on constriction to overpower its prey, akin to modern-day anacondas and pythons. The snake inhabited marshy swamps along the coastline during a period of elevated global temperatures.