Fossils reveal anacondas have been giants for over 12 million years
11 days ago
- #fossils
- #anacondas
- #Miocene
- Fossils reveal anacondas have been giants for over 12 million years, reaching lengths of 5.2 meters.
- Ancient anacondas from the Middle to Upper Miocene period were similar in size to modern anacondas, contrary to expectations.
- Global changes led to the extinction of other Miocene giants like the Purussaurus and Stupendemys, but anacondas survived.
- Researchers measured 183 fossilized anaconda backbones to estimate their size, finding they were 4-5 meters long.
- Anacondas evolved their large body size shortly after appearing in tropical South America around 12.4 million years ago.
- Modern anacondas thrive in habitats like swamps and rivers, similar to their Miocene environment.
- The study challenges previous assumptions that anacondas were larger in warmer past climates.
- The research was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and funded by The Gates Cambridge Trust and the Natural Environment Research Council.