Paleophis colossaeus, a sea serpent from the lower Eocene, ruled the oceans millions of years ago as one of the largest of its kind. This period saw the emergence and diversification of early forms of many modern animal groups, including mammals, birds, and marine species.
Comparable in length to a school bus, this ancient snake is an example of the enormous size and diversity that characterized prehistoric water snakes during a time of significant evolutionary change.
Academic research on Palaeophis
Some of what we learned Paleophis colossaeus is derived from a 2018 research paper by Jacob A. McCartney, Eric M. Roberts, Leif Tapanila, and Maureen A. O’Leary.
Their findings provided crucial insights into the size, habitat and evolutionary characteristics of the water snake, shedding light on its adaptation to ancient marine environments and its place in the ecological history of the Trans-Saharan region.
According to their research, it is an extinct genus Paleophis was part of a group of prehistoric sea snakes from the Eocene. Other species in this genus include Paleophis maghrebianusfound in Morocco, and Paleophis virginianus, identified in North America. Although they shared general characteristics, these species had unique adaptations, reflecting the diversity within the genus.
Paleophis colossaeus is believed to have been one of the larger species in the genus, possibly exceeding the size of its Moroccan relative, Paleophis maghrebanus.
Distinguished by its robust and wide vertebrae, Paleophis colossaeus shows clear skeletal differences compared to other species in the genus. It is thought to have had slightly narrower and more elongated bones.
Modern counterparts: Pythons and Anacondas
In terms of size and aquatic lifestyle, the modern equivalents of the ancient sea snake may include large sea pythons and anacondas.
Modern-day snakes – such as the reticulated python and the green anaconda – share characteristics such as considerable size and a semi-aquatic lifestyle with the Paleophis sex. Anacondas, for example, are among the heaviest and longest snakes today and are well adapted to the aquatic environment.
However, these modern snakes belong to different families and have evolved independently, showing clear differences from the ancient species.
Where did the old water snake live?
The extinct sea snake, believed to have inhabited the area now known as North Africa, lived during the Eocene, a period that stretched from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago.
Fossil evidence of this giant sea serpent has been found in areas that were part of the ancient Tethys Sea, which existed between the ancient supercontinents Gondwana and Laurasia before the opening of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
During the Eocene, Earth’s climate was warmer and sea levels higher, creating extensive shallow marine environments ideal for marine life, including Paleophis colossaeus. The Tethys Sea would have provided a rich and diverse ecosystem suitable for a large, predatory sea snake.
However, specific details about the exact habitat preferences and lifestyle of this giant snake are largely speculative, as our understanding is based solely on fossil data and the geological context of those findings.
How big was Palaeophis Colossaeus?
Fossil data suggests so Paleophis colossaeus was the largest snake to ever exist in the ocean, but fossils vary in length. According to the research article mentioned earlier, some fossils place the snake at a length of 40.4 feet (12.3 meters), while others place the snake at a length of 26.6 feet (8.1 meters).
The differences in length estimates are due to variations in sample dimensions. This suggests that the species varied broadly in terms of length and weight.
But one thing’s for sure: you wouldn’t want to encounter one Paleophis species or its giant terrestrial counterpart, Titanoboa cerrejonensis from the Paleocene era of Colombia, in the wild.
The mighty Titanoboa is believed to have been about 42 feet (about 13 meters) long and to have weighed as much as 2,500 pounds (1,135 kilograms). These measurements, derived from their vertebrae, rank them among the largest snakes known to history.
Bony adjustments
Paleophis species are divided into “primitive” and “advanced” groups. “Advanced” Paleophis have features such as tall pterapophyses (bony projections on the vertebrae) and small prezygapophyses (hinged surfaces of the vertebrae), indicating better adaptation to swimming.
Paleophis colossaeushowever, it belongs to the ‘primitive’ group and lacks such specializations. The broad vertebrae suggest a less streamlined body, but some features indicate adaptation to water. The exact swimming ability and habitat of this species are still under investigation.
Did Palaeophis Colossaeus eat whales?
There are many claims about the water snake’s enormous appetite, especially its affinity for eating whales. This hypothesis is based on several aspects of its existence and the different species in its environment.
An important factor in substantiating this claim is its formidable size. Being one of the largest known sea snakes implies the ability to hunt larger prey.
Then there is home base. During the Eocene, this snake shared its marine habitat with early forms of whales, which were generally smaller than its modern relatives and belonged to different species.
These early, smaller whale species could have been suitable prey for a large predator Paleophis colossaeus. Drawing parallels with modern large marine predators further supports the hypothesis that the aquatic predator would have included these smaller whale species in its diet.
For example, in modern oceans, large predators such as great white sharks or killer whales are known to prey on smaller marine mammals, including seals and even smaller whale species. So if larger marine predators often target bulky, nutritious prey smaller than themselves, it is possible that Paleophis colossaeus did the same.
Eating pattern
So what do we know about this snake’s feeding habits?
Unfortunately nothing concrete. The diet of the prehistoric giant sea snake is intriguing due to the absence of skull fossils that would reveal the size of its mouth. Scientists investigate this mystery by examining the skulls of related species.
Some have less kinetic skulls with elongated bones, indicating a large opening for consuming large prey. Others, with more kinetic skulls, could eat even larger foods.
However, the diversity of these related species makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the sea snake’s diet. Depending on the environment, feeding habits could vary from fish and small crocodiles to turtles, mammals or small whales.
The snake’s size would have deterred most predators, leaving only large dyrosaurids and sharks as potential threats.
Other giant sea snakes
Paleophis colossaeus is a good example of the diversity and adaptability of sea snakes. In addition to this giant, several other species, both ancient and contemporary, highlight the evolutionary journey of marine reptiles:
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Olive sea snake (Aipysurus laevis): The olive sea snake, which inhabits the coral reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, is known for its unique olive green color. Adapted to coral reef environments, it preys on fish and marine invertebrates. Although not generally aggressive, he can show aggression if disturbed.
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Giant sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis): As the largest modern sea snake, it can grow up to 3 meters in length. This venomous species lives in the warm coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific and feeds mainly on small fish, including eels. Its formidable size and venom make it a top predator in its natural habitat.
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Banded sea krait (Laticauda colubrina): Distinguished by its black and white bands, the banded sea krait has a unique amphibious lifestyle, living in the ocean and laying eggs on land. Although it possesses a very potent venom, it is not typically aggressive towards humans unless provoked.
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Paleophis toliapicus: This ancient sea snake of the Eocene era is known from marine deposits. It was an important predator at the time, with adaptations for a fully aquatic life in warm seas.
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Pterosphenus schucherti: This Eocene sea snake, discovered in North America, was well adapted to life in warm, shallow marine environments. Pterosphenus schucherti it probably preyed on small fish and aquatic invertebrates, using its agility and stealth for hunting.
This article was updated using AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Original article: Meet Palaeophis Colossaeus, the largest sea snake of all time
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