Vasuki Indicus, Background, Size, Discovery, Significance

Vasuki Indicus is the recent scientific discovery unveiled by professors of  IIT Roorkee which is an ancient snake species fossil,  believed to be one of the largest ever to roam the earth.

Vasuki Indicus Background

The newly discovered snake used to live in the region of present-day Gujarat about 47 million years ago, during the Middle Eocene period. It was a member of now-extinct Madtsoiidae snake family representing a distinctive lineage from India.

About the discovery of Vasuki Indicus

• The fossil was a unique discovery, hence it was named after the mythical snake often depicted around the neck of Hindu god Shiva, symbolizing its cultural significance.
• The amazing discovery of the snake fossil of length 11-15 metres was made in the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch, Gujarat.
• It was inferred from the fossil that the body of Vasuki Indicus was broad and cylindrical, pointing towards a robust and powerful build.
• From its size, it can considered a rival of the titleholder of the longest snake to ever roamed the earth “Titanoboa”.
• Scientists are of opinion that Vasuki was able to live due to its secretive hunting nature, like moving slowly and ambush for its prey.
• Due to its huge size it was a formidable predator in the ancient ecosystem.

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Significance of the discovery

• The name not just reflects its Indian roots but also symbolises its close ties to the region’s rich cultural heritage. 
• The discovery sheds light to the vibrant biodiversity which sustained the evolution of the such huge snakes during the Eocene period.
• It also gives insights about the geographical spread of the Madtsoiidae family, believed to be existed approximately 100 million years ago across the regions of Africa, Europe and India.
• The discovery is also significant to understand the ancient ecosystem of Indian subcontinent in which the evolutionary history of snakes flourished.

The discovery of such a huge fossil is a moment of pride for the IIT Roorkee’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and relentless pursuit of excellence in the research, giving a glance to our ancient rich and vibrant ecosystem and further expanding the scope for more such remarkable discoveries, which are yet to be unearthed.