According to Hindu mythology, Vasuki is regarded as the mighty serpent king who adorned Lord Shiva’s neck. This mythical figure is symbolic of protection, strength, and a deep connection with divine powers. Surprisingly, a research has discovered the fossils of a mighty ancient serpent that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.The fossils of this colossal snake species were named after the massive mythological Lord Shiva’s serpent Vasuki. According to the researchers, these snakes lived around 47 million years ago in what is now India. This extinct species, which has been estimated to be between 36 and 50 feet long, may have been one of the largest snakes to ever exist. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, tell about the incredible size and lifestyle of this ancient serpent.Vasuki was first mistaken to be a ‘crocodile’A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-Roorkee) studied 27 fossilized vertebrae that were originally discovered in 2005 at a coal mine in Gujarat. Initially mistaken for fossils of a crocodile-like reptile, further analysis confirmed that they actually belonged to a prehistoric snake. The shape and structure of the vertebrae showed that ‘Vasuki indicus’ had a thick, cylindrical body. Though a complete skeleton wasn’t found, size estimates place this species among the largest snakes ever known, alongside Titanoboa, a massive 42-foot-long snake that lived in Colombia.According to a Times of India report, “The fossil was found in 2005, but since I have been working on different other fossils, it went on the back burner. In 2022, we started re-examining the fossil. Initially, due to its size, I thought it was of a crocodile. But then we realized it was of a snake and it turned out to be the biggest in its family and possibly one of the biggest and similar to Titanoboa,” said IIT-Roorkee paleontology professor Sunil BajpaiWhat influenced this snake’s huge size?Like all reptiles, Vasuki Indicus was cold-blooded, meaning its body temperature depended on the environment. Scientists believe that the warm climate of that time, with an estimated average annual temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82°F), played a key role in its extraordinary growth. “With higher ambient temperatures, Vasuki’s internal body temperature and metabolism would have increased, allowing it to grow to such a remarkable size,” the researchers explained to TOI.Vasuki was also a powerful predatorThe study also suggested that Vasuki indicus was an ambush predator that likely killed its prey using constriction, which is similar to modern-day boas and pythons. The fossils were discovered in rock layers containing remains of ray fish, catfish, turtles, crocodiles, and even early whales, indicating a rich ecosystem. Although scientists can’t determine exactly what Vasuki fed on, they believe it may have hunted some of the animals found in the same rock formations.
Was Lord Shiva’s mighty Vasuki naag real? Fossils of a prehistoric 50 foot snake found in India
