An extinct species of snake has been identified from fossils unearthed in India. Named Vasuki indicus, it represents one of the largest snakes ever recorded. “Vasuki” refers to the mythical serpent king often shown coiled around the neck of the Hindu deity Shiva, while “indicus” simply means “from India,” marking the country of its discovery.
The Fossil Discovery
In a lignite mine in the Panandhro region of Gujarat, India, a team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee uncovered the fossilized remains. The discovery consisted of a partial vertebral column with 27 well-preserved vertebrae, some of which were still connected in their natural alignment.
These fossils were originally found in 2005, but their true identity remained a mystery for years. Initially, scientists suspected the large bones might belong to an ancient crocodile. A detailed re-examination in a 2024 study correctly identified the remains as a massive, previously unknown species of prehistoric snake.
Anatomy and Size Estimation
Analysis of the large vertebrae allowed scientists to estimate the size of Vasuki indicus. The snake is projected to have reached lengths between 11 and 15 meters (approximately 36 to 49 feet). This estimation was derived by comparing the dimensions of its vertebrae, which measure 38 to 62 mm in length and 62 to 111 mm in width, to those of living snakes. The bones suggest Vasuki had a broad, powerful, and cylindrical body.
This length places Vasuki indicus in the same size category as Titanoboa, another extinct snake discovered in Colombia, which was previously considered the largest snake ever known. For perspective, its maximum estimated length surpasses that of a school bus and dwarfs modern snakes like the reticulated python and the green anaconda. Vasuki belonged to the Madtsoiidae, an ancient and now-extinct family of snakes.
Ancient Habitat and Lifestyle
The fossils of Vasuki indicus were dated to the Middle Eocene epoch, about 47 million years ago. During this time, the region of modern-day India was a warm, swampy marshland situated near the coast. Global temperatures were significantly higher than they are today, creating a tropical environment.
Given its size, researchers believe Vasuki was a slow-moving predator. Its heavy body would have made it a terrestrial or semi-aquatic animal, ill-suited for fast pursuit. Instead, it likely behaved as an ambush predator, much like today’s anacondas, using its power to constrict its prey. Potential food sources in its environment would have included ancient crocodiles, large catfish, turtles, and primitive whales like Kutchicetus and Andrewsiphius.
Scientific Significance
The discovery of Vasuki indicus provides evidence for the climate conditions of its time. The existence of such a large cold-blooded animal supports the hypothesis that the Middle Eocene was a period of elevated global temperatures. Warmer climates allow ectotherms to achieve larger body sizes, and Vasuki’s proportions are a testament to the warmth of its ancient world.
This find also reshapes our understanding of the Madtsoiidae snake family’s evolutionary journey. The presence of such a massive and primitive member of this group in India suggests the family may have originated and diversified on the Indian subcontinent when it was still an isolated landmass. From there, these snakes could have later spread across Africa and into southern Europe.