Fossil of largest-ever snake ‘Vasuki’ unearthed in western India mine

A giant snake fossil unearthed in amine in the state of Gujarat in western India, belongs to one of the biggest snakes ever discovered.

This giant snake, named Vasuki indicus, is estimated to have reached 15 metres in length, exceeding even a T-Rex. Scientists found 27 vertebrae, some even in their original position within the spine. They believe Vasuki resembled a large python and lacked venom.

The lignite mine where the fossil was found is located in Panandhro, in the western state of Gujarat.

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Debajit Datta, a postdoctoral researcher in palaeontology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and the lead author of the study, says, “Considering its huge size, Vasuki was a slow-moving predator that would control its prey through constriction like anacondas and pythons. This snake lived in a marshy swamp near the coast at a time when global temperatures were higher than today.”

The snake could have weighed up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilogrammes), researchers said in the journal Scientific Reports.

The name Vasuki is given after the mythical snake king Vasuki, who is seen in coil around the neck of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.

Remains of the snake’s backbone were discovered in 2005 by co-author Sunil Bajpaifrom the same institute, near Kutch, Gujarat. The researchers compared more than 20 fossil vertebrae to skeletons of living snakes to estimate the size.

“The estimated body length of Vasuki is comparable to that of Titanoboa (another huge prehistoric snake), although the vertebrae of Titanoboa are slightly larger than those of Vasuki. However, at this point, we cannot say if Vasuki was more massive or slender compared to Titanoboa,” said Sunil Bajpai.

Titanoboa, estimated at 13 metres long and weighing more than 1 tonne, lived between 58mn and 60mn years ago.

Describing Vasuki, paleontologist Debajit Datta said, "Vasuki was a majestic giant. It might have spent most days peacefully resting its head on a high porch formed by its own massive coil, or perhaps moved sluggishly through the swamp."

The mystery of Vasuki's diet remains. Given its size, it could have preyed on crocodiles. Interestingly, crocodile and turtle fossils were found alongside Vasuki's remains, along with fish and even two primitive whales – Kutchicetus and Andrewsiphius.

“Snakes are amazing creatures that often leave us stunned because of their size, agility and deadliness,” Datta said.

(With inputs from agencies)