Here's what Wamiqa Gabbi has to share about 'Jubilee 2'
This is the largest snake to ever roam Earth: Key characteristics that make it unique
Before humans ever appeared and not long after the dinosaurs went extinct, a new giant rose to the top of the food chain. It didn't fly or roar– it slithered, and it did so with incredible strength.This was Titanoboa– the largest snake ever discovered. It lived around 60 million years ago, at a time when Earth was much hotter and more humid than today. While mammals were just starting to spread, Titanoboa had already become the top predator in the tropical swamps of what is now South America. It could grow over 13 meters long and weigh more than a ton, making it bigger than any snake before or since.But Titanoboa wasn't just impressive because of its size. Its discovery gives us important clues about how life evolved after the dinosaurs disappeared and how Earth's climate played a role in shaping new species. Here's a look at what made Titanoboa so special, and why it still grabs the attention of scientists today. Image Credits: Canva/Canva AINote: These images are for representative purposes only.
Times Of India
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
47-million-year-old snake found may be the biggest ever, surpassing Titanoboa
47-million-year-old snake found may be the biggest ever, surpassing Titanoboa Scientists in India have discovered the fossil remains of the world's largest snake, over 50 feet (15 meters) long, around 6.5 feet (2 meters) and incredibly powerful. Giant, 47 million-year-old snake fossils pulled from mine in India may be the largest snake ever, potentially surpassing Titanoboa by around 15 feet. The newly discovered species is called Vasuki Indicus. Its name comes from Vasuki, a famous snake from Hindu mythology. In stories, Vasuki is often shown wrapped around the neck of Lord Shiva, one of the main gods in Hinduism. Over 50 feet long giant snake fossils discovered in India The researchers used two different methods to estimate the possible body length of V. indicus. They estimated the serpent's total body length using the width of the snake's spine bones and found that V. indicus could have ranged from between 36 feet and 50 feet (11 and 15 m) long, although they acknowledge there may be a possible error associated with their estimate. Both approaches relied on modern snakes to establish a link between vertebrae width and overall body length, but they used different datasets for their calculations. The team thinks that the fossils found came from a fully grown adult. According to Live science, a total of 27 fossilized vertebrae from the enormous snake were unearthed at the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Gujarat State. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Worst States To Visit in America, Ranked BigGlobalTravel Undo The fossils date to around 47 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch (56 million to 33.9 million years ago). The researchers published their findings in the journal Scientific Reports. Vasuki Indicus, the giant snake found Looking at the sites where ribs would attach to the vertebrae, the researchers think V. indicus had a broad, cylindrical body and mostly lived on land. Aquatic snakes, in comparison, tend to have very flat, streamline bodies. Due to its large size, the researchers say the snake was likely an ambush predator, subduing its prey by constriction, similar to modern-day anacondas. The scientists estimate that V. indicus thrived in a warm climate with an average of around 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degree celsius)- a significantly warmer temperature than the present day. Datta said, 'There are still many things we don't know about Vasuki. We don't know about its muscles, how it used them or what it ate'. Meet Titanoboa: The giant snake from the past Around 60 million years ago, after the dinosaurs had vanished, an enormous snake called Titanoboa slithered through the hot, swampy jungles of what is now Colombia. This prehistoric snake, which belonged to the boa family, wasn't poisonous—it killed by wrapping its powerful body around its prey and squeezing tight. Titanoboa was so huge that it likely ate large fish and even crocodiles. Fossils found deep in a coal mine in South America show that the Earth was much hotter back then, which may explain how this monster snake grew so big. Titanoboa helps scientists understand more about the climate and wildlife after the age of dinosaurs. A life-sized model of this ancient beast now stuns museum visitors, reminding us that nature once produced creatures bigger and scarier than we ever imagined.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Meet Vasuki Indicus: India Unearths Worlds New Largest Snake, A 1000 Kg Creature, 49-Foot Colossus, Turning Mythology Into Reality
photoDetails english 2912229 Vauski Indicus: If you are fascinated about the world of reptiles, you must have heard about Titanoboa. For years, the colossal Titanoboa, measuring a staggering 42 feet, held the undisputed title of being the world's largest or longest snake. But a recent, incredible discovery in India's Gujarat, has rewitten that history. Along the Kutch coast, researchers unearthed fossils hinting at an ancient serpent, now estimated to be a mind-blowing 49 feet long and weighing nearly 1,000 kilograms. This isn't just a new species; it's a game-changer. Updated:Jun 07, 2025, 08:10 AM IST Mythical Connection 1 / 7 For almost two decades, dedicated researchers from IIT Roorkee have meticulously studied these remains. Their findings reveal a fascinating connection to Vasuki Naag, the revered mythical serpent famously depicted as a divine ornament around Lord Shiva's neck. Scientific Breakthrough 2 / 7 This scientific breakthrough not only challenges our previous understanding of the largest snake to ever grace the Earth but also adds an unexpected layer of credibility to ancient Indian scriptures that speak of mighty serpents like Vasuki. Let's take a look: The Discovery Site 3 / 7 The journey of this monumental discovery began along the Kutch coastline in Gujarat. This area has now become a captivating hub, drawing in not only serious researchers but also enthusiasts of mythology, all eager to witness where this incredible ancient creature once roamed. Outsizing Competition 4 / 7 For a long time, the Titanoboa was considered the undisputed champion of ancient snakes, believed to be the longest at 42 feet. However, the newly uncovered Vasuki fossil changes everything. At a breathtaking 49 feet, it potentially takes the crown as the largest snake ever unearthed on Earth. Truly Colossal Creature 5 / 7 Imagine a snake weighing around 1,000 kilograms! That's the estimated weight of this ancient serpent. What's even more astonishing is that this species managed to adapt and survive through catastrophic events, even those that led to the extinction of dinosaurs. Bridging Mythology and Science 6 / 7 Given the striking references to Vasuki Naag in Hindu scriptures, the scientific community has aptly named this newly identified serpent "Vasuki." This naming choice beautifully highlights a fascinating bridge between the ancient world of mythology and the rigorous field of paleontology. From Ocean to Land 7 / 7 Early snakes, dating back over 160 million years, first emerged in the oceans. Fossil records have gradually illuminated their remarkable journey of evolution and adaptation to land. The discovery of Vasuki stands as one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring examples of the immense scale these ancient creatures could achieve. And to end with, you must not forget that it was Vasuki which was used as a rope during Samudra Manthan.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Cabinet nod to Rs 1,113cr biotechnology devpt scheme
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet, under the chairmanship of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Friday approved a comprehensive five-year biotechnology development scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,113.50 crore. The programme will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30. The 'Development of Biotechnology' initiative, comprising 17 sub-schemes, aims to transform Odisha into a knowledge-driven bio-economy by leveraging the state's rich biodiversity and existing research infrastructure. "This scheme will create a robust ecosystem for innovation, incubation and investment in the biotechnology sector," a govt statement said. The programme aligns with the state's Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2022, which identifies biotechnology as a thrust sector. The scheme's primary objectives include promoting higher education and research infrastructure, developing a supportive ecosystem for innovation and industry, aligning academic excellence with industry requirements and facilitating product development and commercialisation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 최대 할인 지원해드려요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo It will also promote utilising biotechnology innovations for socio-economic development. The new scheme aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry while fostering collaboration across sectors including agriculture, medicine and environmental sciences. The initiative complements the recently announced Odisha Biotechnology Policy, 2024, offering incentives for advanced infrastructure development and positioning the state as a biotechnology hub. The cabinet also gave its nod to modalities of the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY), with a massive outlay of Rs 6,000 crore over five years. The scheme, aligned with the state's "Viksit Odisha@2036 vision", aims to revolutionise urban infrastructure and boost revenue generation across cities. For the initial year (2025-26), the state has allocated Rs 1,100 crore in the last budget. The scheme, scheduled to run from 2025-26 to 2029-30, will focus on four key areas — urban infrastructure development, wage employment, water body development and animal welfare. Under the infrastructure component, the scheme will develop various facilities, including kalyan mandaps and multi-purpose halls, market complexes and vending zones, roads, drains, and parking facilities and EV charging stations, among others. The cabinet also gave its nod to exempt land premium of Rs 2.60 crore for lease of a piece of land to Narcotics Control Bureau for construction of its building. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
