In Depth 2010 saw the description of a new genus of madtsoiid snake called Menarana. Although initially described from Madagascan fossils, the team describing the new genus also stated that a Spanish species of the Madtsoiidae type genus Madtsoia actually represented a second species. This led to the creation of the Menarana type species Menarana … Read more
In Depth For over a hundred years Gigantophis was regarded as the largest known snake, a title that has since been handed to the even larger Titanoboa in 2009. Still even at the lower estimate of just over nine meters long Gigantophis is still bigger than the reticulated python which is thought to be the … Read more
In Depth Along with Wonambi, Yurlunggur is another representative of the madtsoiid group of prehistoric snakes. Yurlunggur was a constrictor which means it coiled around its prey and squeezing it to death. One thing that makes Yurlunggur stand out from other snakes related to it is the fact it has perhaps one of the most … Read more
In Depth A late Cretaceous era snake of the Indian subcontinent, the discovery of Sanajeh has revealed a little bit more about Mesozoic ecosystems. The holotype specimen of Sanajeh was found not only alongside several sauropod eggs, but also the remains of a hatchling sauropod, probably a titanosaur of about fifty centimetres length. It is … Read more
In Depth At five to six meters long, Wonambi would have been able to tackle any small to medium sized animal it chose. The Aboriginal people living in Australia at the same time as Wonambi were certainly aware of the presence of large snakes and indeed warned their children about going to watering holes alone. … Read more