Amazon’s giant anacondas reached their peak size 12 million years ago, study shows

Rare Anaconda Fossils Reveal What the Giant Snakes Looked Like 12 Million Years Ago

Scientists spent years wondering whether ancient anacondas made today’s versions look modest. It would make sense. The Miocene had heat, wetlands, and enough oversized reptiles to make modern wildlife feel like toy versions. Yet the fossils say something else. Anacondas reached their massive build more than 12 million years ago and then pretty much stayed that way. The new study in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology is based on 183 vertebrae…

Anacondas became massive 12 million years ago — and it worked so well, they haven't changed size since

The snakes stayed large and thrived even when cooling temperatures and shrinking habitats killed off other giant reptiles millions of years ago.

Fossils show anacondas have been gigantic for 12 million years

Analysis of fossils from South America shows that the tropical snakes reached their maximum size 12.4 million years ago.

Anacondas are among the largest living snakes in the world.

The study found that anacondas reached their maximum size 12.4 million years ago and have remained giants ever since. Anacondas are usually four to five metres long and in rare cases can reach seven metres.

Fossils reveal anacondas have been giants for over 12 million years

A University of Cambridge-led team has analyzed giant anaconda fossils from South America to deduce that these tropical snakes reached their maximum size 12.4 million years ago and have remained giants ever since.