Not much is known about how anacondas, those enormous snakes, came to exist. Fossils of snakes are hard to find because they live in hot, humid areas that quickly break down remains. However, some parts of northern South America have revealed valuable fossils, especially in Urumaco, Venezuela. This site has uncovered many ancient remains, including some of the earliest anacondas.
A team from the University of Cambridge recently studied 183 fossilized vertebrae from at least 32 anacondas. Their findings suggest that these snakes grew to their largest size around 12.4 million years ago during the Middle Miocene.
By measuring these fossils and using a method called ancestral state reconstruction, researchers estimated that ancient anacondas were around 5.2 meters long. For comparison, today’s green anacondas, the heaviest snakes on Earth, typically measure between 4 to 5 meters, though bigger ones may lurk in remote areas of tropical South America.
Andrés Alfonso-Rojas, the study’s lead author, noted, “We found that anacondas evolved a large body size shortly after they appeared in tropical South America, and their size hasn’t changed since.” Interestingly, ancient anacondas grew to impressive sizes alongside other giant reptiles, like the 12-meter-long caiman Purussaurus and the 3.2-meter-long turtle Stupendemys. Unlike these other creatures that eventually shrank in size or became extinct, anacondas have maintained their grandeur over millions of years.
The results of the study surprised the researchers. They had anticipated that ancient anacondas would be even larger than today’s: perhaps seven or eight meters long. Yet, this research showed no evidence of larger snakes during the warmer Miocene period.
Rather than shrinking in size like some other species as the climate cooled, anacondas retained their massive forms. Alfonso-Rojas suggests that their gigantism may have originated from warmer temperatures and a rich wetland ecosystem filled with diverse prey. However, why they continued to grow large remains a mystery.
The study has generated interest on social media, with many wildlife enthusiasts sharing thoughts and insights. As more fossils are discovered, we may uncover more secrets about these fascinating creatures.
If you want to check out more about this study, you can find it here.
In summary, anacondas are a marvel of nature. Their history, size, and adaptability make them a compelling subject for research and a source of fascination for animal lovers everywhere.
