Snakes big enough to eat elephants, or at least their ancestors, slithered around Egypt some 40 million years ago. By comparing the fossil vertebrae of a snake called Gigantophis to those of the largest modern snakes, Jason Head of the Smithsonian Institution estimated that the extinct snake could grow to 10.7 metres in length, more than 10 per cent longer than its largest living relatives. Head says it may have preyed on basal proboscidians, the ancestors of modern elephants.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Life
Hard but lightweight ‘bio-metal’ material discovered in sea worm jaws
News
Life
A worm that lived half a billion years ago preferred turning right
News
Life
Chris Packham: ‘I’d throw myself in front of a T. Rex to be consumed’
Culture
Life
Bumblebee facial movements give clues to their inner lives
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles