Palaeophis Colossaeus: Ancient 12-Meter Sea Snake Hunted Sharks | Quick Digest

Palaeophis Colossaeus: Ancient 12-Meter Sea Snake Hunted Sharks | Quick Digest
Scientists have verified that *Palaeophis colossaeus*, a colossal ancient sea snake, grew up to 12 meters long during the Eocene epoch. This prehistoric marine predator, whose fossils were found in North Africa, was likely capable of preying on large fish, including sharks, dominating its warm, shallow ocean habitat.

Palaeophis colossaeus was the largest known ancient sea snake.

It reached an estimated length of 8.1 to 12.3 meters (40 feet).

This colossal snake lived approximately 56 to 34 million years ago.

Fossils suggest it was an apex predator, possibly eating sharks.

The discovery provides insight into Eocene marine ecosystems.

Its habitat was the ancient Trans-Saharan Seaway in North Africa.

The Times of India article accurately reports on *Palaeophis colossaeus*, an enormous extinct marine snake widely recognized as the largest sea snake ever discovered. This ancient predator thrived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 56 to 34 million years ago, in the warm, shallow waters of the Trans-Saharan Seaway, an area that once covered parts of what is now North Africa. Scientific consensus, largely based on a 2018 study published in *Acta Palaeontologica Polonica*, indicates that *Palaeophis colossaeus* could attain an impressive length of 8.1 to 12.3 meters (roughly 27 to 40 feet). Its vertebrae are significantly larger than those of any modern snake, underscoring its colossal size. This makes the article's claim of a '12-metre giant' accurate and well-supported. The notion that this giant snake 'may have eaten sharks' is also credible. Given its immense size and position as a dominant predator in its ecosystem, paleontologists hypothesize that *Palaeophis colossaeus* was capable of hunting and consuming large marine life, including big fish like sharks and even crocodile-like reptiles. The headline's claims are therefore grounded in scientific findings, presenting factual information without undue sensationalism. The discovery of such a formidable ancient creature provides valuable insights into prehistoric marine life and the evolutionary history of snakes.
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