CNN) -- Scientists in Colombia have unearthed the remains of a true pre-historic monster believed to be the biggest snake ever to have lived on Earth.
Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the snake would have weighed 1,140 kilograms (2,500 pounds) and measured 13 meters (42.7 feet) nose to tail tip -- dwarfing the largest modern pythons and anacondas which can grow to 6 meters (19.5 feet).
Scientists believe it slithered around the planet between 58 and 60 million years ago.
Geologist David Polly, who identified the position of the fossil vertebrae which made a size estimate possible, said in a statement Wednesday: "At its greatest width, the snake would have come up to about your hips."
Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the snake would have weighed 1,140 kilograms (2,500 pounds) and measured 13 meters (42.7 feet) nose to tail tip -- dwarfing the largest modern pythons and anacondas which can grow to 6 meters (19.5 feet).
Scientists believe it slithered around the planet between 58 and 60 million years ago.
Geologist David Polly, who identified the position of the fossil vertebrae which made a size estimate possible, said in a statement Wednesday: "At its greatest width, the snake would have come up to about your hips."
I'm thinking this snake probably ate St. Bernard sized rodents!
1 comment:
This is the same article that I
read and cut out of the paper
tonight. My article started out
by saying " it was as long as a
school bus and heavy as a Volkswagon Beetle.I'm just so
happy that I didn't live during
that period. Seeing one of those
might have been just a little too
much. Also enjoyed reading the
piece on the Klingons. Not too
many people would have reconized
that sort of weapon. At least I
haven't seen any around lately.
I'll keep my eyes out for one just
in case.
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