Paleontologists have discovered the fossilized remains of a 47-million-year-old snake, named Vasuki indicus, in an Indian coal mine.

The snake was remarkably large, reaching up to 15 meters in length and weighing up to a ton, making it a formidable ambush predator.

Fossilized vertebrae found in 2005 in Gujarat state were critical in identifying the snake's massive size and characteristics.

Vasuki indicus is believed to have lived on land in a warm, tropical climate, preying on a variety of animals including fish, turtles, and primitive whales.

The snake's large size may have been a result of the warmer climatic conditions of the period, suggesting climate's influence on the evolution of species.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and published in Scientific Reports, enhances understanding of ancient ecosystems and climate's role in shaping life in the past.