Giant snake fossils and lungless amphibians identified

Paleontologists have identified fossils of Vasuki indicus, a prehistoric snake species that lived approximately 47 million years ago. Found in the Gujarat state of India, the fossils consist of 27 vertebrae that suggest the reptile could have reached lengths between 10.9 and 15.2 meters. This discovery places the species among the largest snakes ever known, rivaling the prehistoric Titanoboa.

In Brazil, the Atretochoana eiselti, commonly known as the caipora-mole, is highlighted as a unique amphibian. Despite its snake-like appearance, it is a lungless tetrapod that breathes through its skin. The species has been documented in the Brazilian states of Rondônia and Pará, though researchers note that information regarding its reproduction and life history remains insufficient.