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South Wales Argus
23-07-2025
- Science
- South Wales Argus
What is the world's oldest snake? Jurassic reptile found in UK
There are three snake species native to the UK - the adder, grass snake and smooth snake. But the UK is also thought to be the home of the world's oldest snake, which dates back 167 million years to the Jurassic period. Native wild animals in the UK What is the oldest snake in the world? The oldest snake in the world is the Eophis underwoodi, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine. Fossil remains of the snake, primarily jaw fragments, were found in the Forest Marble Formation at Kirtlington Quarry in Oxfordshire. Eophis underwoodi dates back around 167 million years to the Bathonian Age during the Middle Jurassic era. BBC Wildlife Magazine said: "Prior to 2015, the oldest known fossil snakes were ~100 million years old. "The discovery of Eophis extended the known geological range of snakes by more than 60 million years and suggested they may have originated at a similar time to most other major groups of scaly reptiles." The snake is believed to have been alive around the same time as the Megalosaurus - a 6-metre long, meat-eating dinosaur, which also called a similar part of southern England home. BBC Wildlife Magazine added that the Eophis was "far from a giant", only measuring around 25cm. This is a far cry from the Titanoboa, which is the largest snake ever, at around 13m in length (which dates back to around 60 million years ago). The Eophis underwoodi was much smaller than the Titanoboa (pictured), which is the largest snake ever. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The BBC experts continued: "Eophis is thought to have lived in swamps, hunting tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles. "It's also believed it had tiny hind limbs, like many other ancient snakes." RECOMMENDED READING: How long do the UK's native snakes live for? The three snakes that can currently be found in the UK have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, according to The Wildlife Trusts. The adder has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, while the smooth snake can live for around 20 years. The grass snake has the longest average lifespan of the UK's native species, as it can live for up to 25 years.
North Wales Chronicle
22-07-2025
- Science
- North Wales Chronicle
What is the world's oldest snake? Jurassic reptile found in UK
There are three snake species native to the UK - the adder, grass snake and smooth snake. But the UK is also thought to be the home of the world's oldest snake, which dates back 167 million years to the Jurassic period. The oldest snake in the world is the Eophis underwoodi, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine. Fossil remains of the snake, primarily jaw fragments, were found in the Forest Marble Formation at Kirtlington Quarry in Oxfordshire. Eophis underwoodi dates back around 167 million years to the Bathonian Age during the Middle Jurassic era. BBC Wildlife Magazine said: "Prior to 2015, the oldest known fossil snakes were ~100 million years old. "The discovery of Eophis extended the known geological range of snakes by more than 60 million years and suggested they may have originated at a similar time to most other major groups of scaly reptiles." The snake is believed to have been alive around the same time as the Megalosaurus - a 6-metre long, meat-eating dinosaur, which also called a similar part of southern England home. BBC Wildlife Magazine added that the Eophis was "far from a giant", only measuring around 25cm. This is a far cry from the Titanoboa, which is the largest snake ever, at around 13m in length (which dates back to around 60 million years ago). The Eophis underwoodi was much smaller than the Titanoboa (pictured), which is the largest snake ever. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The BBC experts continued: "Eophis is thought to have lived in swamps, hunting tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles. "It's also believed it had tiny hind limbs, like many other ancient snakes." RECOMMENDED READING: Where to find snakes in the UK including the venomous Adder and rare Smooth Snake The 'adaptable' snake that is the UK's longest and can swim underwater Snake warning issued to UK residents as RSPCA braces for 'influx' of sightings The UK's only venomous snake that is described as 'very shy' but 'dangerous' The three snakes that can currently be found in the UK have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, according to The Wildlife Trusts. The adder has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, while the smooth snake can live for around 20 years. The grass snake has the longest average lifespan of the UK's native species, as it can live for up to 25 years.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
What is the world's oldest snake? Jurassic reptile found in UK
But the UK is also thought to be the home of the world's oldest snake, which dates back 167 million years to the Jurassic period. Native wild animals in the UK What is the oldest snake in the world? The oldest snake in the world is the Eophis underwoodi, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine. Fossil remains of the snake, primarily jaw fragments, were found in the Forest Marble Formation at Kirtlington Quarry in Oxfordshire. Eophis underwoodi dates back around 167 million years to the Bathonian Age during the Middle Jurassic era. BBC Wildlife Magazine said: "Prior to 2015, the oldest known fossil snakes were ~100 million years old. "The discovery of Eophis extended the known geological range of snakes by more than 60 million years and suggested they may have originated at a similar time to most other major groups of scaly reptiles." The snake is believed to have been alive around the same time as the Megalosaurus - a 6-metre long, meat-eating dinosaur, which also called a similar part of southern England home. BBC Wildlife Magazine added that the Eophis was "far from a giant", only measuring around 25cm. This is a far cry from the Titanoboa, which is the largest snake ever, at around 13m in length (which dates back to around 60 million years ago). The Eophis underwoodi was much smaller than the Titanoboa (pictured), which is the largest snake ever. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The BBC experts continued: "Eophis is thought to have lived in swamps, hunting tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles. "It's also believed it had tiny hind limbs, like many other ancient snakes." RECOMMENDED READING: How long do the UK's native snakes live for? The three snakes that can currently be found in the UK have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, according to The Wildlife Trusts. The adder has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, while the smooth snake can live for around 20 years. The grass snake has the longest average lifespan of the UK's native species, as it can live for up to 25 years.
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Science
- Glasgow Times
What is the world's oldest snake? Jurassic reptile found in UK
There are three snake species native to the UK - the adder, grass snake and smooth snake. But the UK is also thought to be the home of the world's oldest snake, which dates back 167 million years to the Jurassic period. Native wild animals in the UK What is the oldest snake in the world? The oldest snake in the world is the Eophis underwoodi, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine. Fossil remains of the snake, primarily jaw fragments, were found in the Forest Marble Formation at Kirtlington Quarry in Oxfordshire. Eophis underwoodi dates back around 167 million years to the Bathonian Age during the Middle Jurassic era. BBC Wildlife Magazine said: "Prior to 2015, the oldest known fossil snakes were ~100 million years old. "The discovery of Eophis extended the known geological range of snakes by more than 60 million years and suggested they may have originated at a similar time to most other major groups of scaly reptiles." The snake is believed to have been alive around the same time as the Megalosaurus - a 6-metre long, meat-eating dinosaur, which also called a similar part of southern England home. BBC Wildlife Magazine added that the Eophis was "far from a giant", only measuring around 25cm. This is a far cry from the Titanoboa, which is the largest snake ever, at around 13m in length (which dates back to around 60 million years ago). The Eophis underwoodi was much smaller than the Titanoboa (pictured), which is the largest snake ever. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The BBC experts continued: "Eophis is thought to have lived in swamps, hunting tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles. "It's also believed it had tiny hind limbs, like many other ancient snakes." RECOMMENDED READING: How long do the UK's native snakes live for? The three snakes that can currently be found in the UK have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, according to The Wildlife Trusts. The adder has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, while the smooth snake can live for around 20 years. The grass snake has the longest average lifespan of the UK's native species, as it can live for up to 25 years.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Meet the wild dog with the highest hunting success rate in the world
When people think of top predators in the wild, lions, leopards, or wolves usually come to mind. These iconic hunters are often seen as the kings and queens of the food chain. But there's another predator, less famous yet exceptionally efficient, that outperforms them all when it comes to successful hunts. Often overshadowed by bigger or more charismatic carnivores, African wild dogs are one of nature's most effective hunters. These wild dogs are well known for their speed, strategy, and teamwork; they have evolved into exceptional predators that have the highest kill success rate among large carnivores. Despite their good hunting abilities, these animals remain one of Africa's most endangered species, struggling to survive in shrinking habitats and against fierce competition from larger carnivores. The apex predator with the most successful kills With their lean frames and oversized ears, African wild dogs may look harmless, but they are among the most lethal hunters in the wild. According to BBC Wildlife Magazine, they have a 'kill rate per chase of more than 85 percent,' which is far higher than the roughly 25% success rate seen in lions. This extraordinary efficiency is mostly due to their coordination and pack dynamics during hunts. A study conducted in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park revealed that pack size significantly affects hunting success. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dolly Parton, 79, Takes off Her Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words The Noodle Box Undo According to the findings, 'the success of a pack... was influenced by the age of the prey and the number of dogs hunting together,' while factors like distance from prey or available cover didn't play much of a role. Solo hunters among wild dogs often brought down smaller prey like Thomson's gazelles. However, it took larger packs to tackle tougher targets. 'Groups of two did not hunt adult wildebeest successfully,' while bigger groups could even kill calves of blue wildebeests. The study also suggested that hunting in groups 'reduced interspecific competition from spotted hyenas… through improved defence of carcasses. ' Despite this efficiency, African wild dogs often lose their hard-earned meals to larger predators. 'They may lose half of their kills… to other carnivores such as hyenas and lions,' BBC Wildlife Magazine reports. Taxonomically, African wild dogs are unique. Though part of the Canidae family, they don't belong to the Canis genus like wolves and domestic dogs. As BBC explains, 'African wild dogs are now considered close to the base of the wolf-like canids,' making them evolutionary outliers. Yet, despite their remarkable hunting skills and social intelligence, African wild dogs are classified as Endangered. Their greatest challenge isn't the lack of prey, but habitat loss, human conflict, and competition from bigger carnivores.
