Vasuki Indicus vs Titanoboa: Who was the largest snake in fossil history

Time of India

08-07-2025

Earth, our dynamic and life-sustaining planet, is approximately 4.543 billion years old. Over these vast eons, it has undergone dramatic transformations—from fiery origins and shifting continents to the rise and extinction of countless species.
Among the incredible creatures that once roamed our world were the largest snakes ever discovered, giants so immense they rival modern vehicles in size and power. Two prehistoric titans, Titanoboa and Vasuki Indicus, stand out as the ultimate apex predators of their time. But which of these colossal snakes truly holds the title as Earth's largest ever fossil?
Titanoboa or Vasuki: Which fossil snake was Earth's largest ever discovered
Titanoboa: Earth's Giant predator
Source: Washington Post
Titanoboa cerrejonensis is considered the largest snake in prehistoric history, dominating Colombia's swampy ecosystems about 58–60 million years ago during the Paleocene epoch.
Discovered in 2009 in the Cerrejón coal mines, its fossilized vertebrae were initially mistaken for a crocodile's.
Researchers led by Jonathan Bloch and Carlos Jaramillo confirmed it was a massive snake, stretching up to 15 meters (50 feet) and weighing 1.25 tonnes. With a body thicker than an oil drum, Titanoboa crushed its prey using 400 psi of muscle force. The discovery made headlines globally, and a life-size model now stands at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Vasuki Indicus: 47-million-year-old snake confirmed in 2024 study
In 2005, paleontologists discovered 27 massive vertebrae at the Panadhro Lignite Mine in Gujarat, India—initially thought to be from a crocodile. After nearly nine years of analysis, scientists led by Sunil Bajpai confirmed the remains belonged to a new species of giant snake, named Vasuki Indicus, after the mythical serpent from Hindu lore. Dating back 47 million years to the Middle Eocene epoch, Vasuki could grow up to 15 meters (49 feet) long and weigh around 1 tonne.
Its enormous size and Indian origin made the name 'Vasuki'—Lord Shiva's celestial serpent—a culturally meaningful and scientifically significant choice.
Titanoboa vs Vasuki: Comparison
Both Titanoboa and Vasuki Indicus represent the pinnacle of snake evolution—but how do they compare?
Feature
Titanoboa cerrejonensis
Vasuki Indicus
Discovered In
Cerrejón coal mines, Colombia
Panadhro Lignite Mine, Gujarat, India
Lived During
Paleocene Epoch (58–60 million years ago)
Middle Eocene Epoch (47 million years ago)
Length
12.8–15.2 meters (42–50 feet)
11–15.2 meters (36–49 feet)
Weight
1.1–1.25 tonnes
Approx. 1 tonne
Family
Boidae (like boas and anacondas)
Madtsoiidae (extinct snake family)
Habitat
Tropical rainforests (semi-aquatic)
Coastal swamps (terrestrial)
Predation Style
Apex predator; primarily fish-eating
Ambush predator; likely ate crocodilians
Vasuki Indicus vs Titanoboa
: Which was the largest snake to ever live
Discovery sites: Where the serpents were found
Titanoboa cerrejonensis was discovered in the Cerrejón coal mines in La Guajira, Colombia. This site is one of the world's largest open-pit coal mines and a rich fossil bed from the Paleocene epoch.
The tropical climate preserved ancient flora and fauna, offering a rare glimpse into a post-dinosaur ecosystem.
Vasuki Indicus, on the other hand, was found in the Panadhro Lignite Mine in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. This lignite mine has yielded several important vertebrate fossils, and in 2005, paleontologists unearthed massive vertebrae there—initially mistaken for a crocodile but later confirmed to be from a new species of giant snake.
Source: WIRED
Geological era: When did they live
Titanoboa lived during the Paleocene epoch, around 58 to 60 million years ago, a time right after the extinction of the dinosaurs. This era saw the gradual emergence of mammals and the resurgence of reptiles in a world that was still recovering from a global catastrophe.
Vasuki Indicus lived during the Middle Eocene epoch, about 47 million years ago, a period marked by warm global temperatures, rising sea levels, and widespread tropical forests—an ideal environment for large reptiles to thrive.
Size comparison
Titanoboa measured approximately 12.8 to 15.2 meters (42 to 50 feet) in length and weighed between 1.1 to 1.25 tonnes (2,425 to 2,755 pounds). It remains the heaviest snake ever recorded, with vertebrae thicker than any modern-day serpent. Its body was so massive that it likely had to stay in or near water to support its weight.
Vasuki Indicus is estimated to have been 11 to 15.2 meters (36 to 49 feet) long and weighed around 1 tonne (2,200 pounds).
While slightly lighter than Titanoboa, it could match or even exceed Titanoboa in length, making it a serious contender for the title of longest snake in Earth's history.
Source: Reuters
Evolutionary roots
Titanoboa belonged to the Boidae family, which includes modern boas and anacondas. This lineage is known for non-venomous, constricting snakes that kill prey by suffocation. Titanoboa is considered a distant cousin of the green anaconda, though vastly larger.
Vasuki Indicus was part of the now-extinct Madtsoiidae family, a group of large, terrestrial snakes that once lived across Gondwana (ancient Southern Hemisphere continents like India, Africa, and South America). This family had a distinct evolutionary path, and Vasuki's discovery added valuable insight into its diversity and distribution.
Habitat
Titanoboa thrived in humid, tropical rainforests and was likely semi-aquatic, similar to modern anacondas.
The fossil-rich Cerrejón region suggests it lived in swampy lowlands, using water for both camouflage and support.
Vasuki Indicus is believed to have lived in coastal swamps or floodplains, possibly in a more terrestrial setting. The fossil site in Gujarat hints at a warm, marshy environment where this snake likely hunted along riverbanks and swampy terrain.
Feeding and hunting strategy
Titanoboa was an apex predator in its ecosystem, primarily feeding on large fish, including prehistoric relatives of modern lungfish and other aquatic vertebrates.
Despite lacking venom, its crushing strength—estimated at 400 psi—was enough to subdue large prey.
Vasuki Indicus likely hunted as an ambush predator, targeting terrestrial prey such as crocodilians or early mammals. Its build and evolutionary lineage suggest it relied on stealth and sudden bursts of power, like modern-day pythons or rock pythons.
Vasuki Indicus or Titanoboa: Who was truly the largest
While Vasuki Indicus may edge out Titanoboa in maximum estimated length, the latter is still considered more massive in terms of weight and girth. Titanoboa's vertebrae were thicker and more robust, suggesting it had a bulkier body structure, suited for overpowering large aquatic prey. That said, Vasuki Indicus stands as a close rival, and perhaps even the longest snake ever documented, challenging long-held beliefs and offering new insights into the evolution of reptiles in ancient India.
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