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PrintCrotalus giganticus (3) - vertebra
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Product code: F16730
Available: Yes
Provenience: Florida - U.S.A. (Gilchrist County)
Geological Era: Late Pleistocene
Age: 30,000 - 50,000 years
Measure: cm 1.8 x 1.7 x 1.4
Unique Article
Description
fossil vertebra of giant crotal, cm 1.8 x 1.7 x 1.4. Rare repert. Good condiction.
This giant viper could reach an estimated 12 feet in length and could probably inject enough venom to drop an elephant. This snake is known from only a few isolated vertebrae.
The term snake are commonly called the reptiles belonging to the suborder Serpentes (or Ophidia). The phylogeny of snakes is closely related to that of lizards (the common name for members of the suborder Sauria reptiles), with whom are the order of Squamata.
The fossil record of snakes are relatively scarce, because of their fragile skeletons that are rarely fossilized. The oldest fossils attributed to snakes date from around 110 million years ago (Lapparentophis) and have been found in North Africa. It is believed that snakes are descended from these ancient animals in the group of lizards, probably forms excavators and underground habits (as suggested by some fossil remains). He knows a form of the Late Cretaceous, Najash rionegrina, which was equipped with two rear legs and sacrum, presumably was a fully terrestrial animal burrows dug in the ground.
The burrowing snakes probably evolved elongated bodies and lost their legs to adapt to an underground habitats. For this reason, moreover, also developed and transparent eyelids fused, as well as the absence of external ears, to avoid damaging the cornea and bring the land into your ears.
Other fossils from the Cretaceous snakes (Haasiophis, Pachyrhachis, Eupodophis), found in strata slightly older than those of Najash, were equipped with hind legs, but were clearly marine forms and the legs were not fully articulated with the pelvis. In the Late Cretaceous, however, were similar to those already existing snakes (Dinilysia), along with giant forms from the uncertain location (Madtsoiidae).
Currently there are several groups of primitive snakes such as pythons and boas, which still have vestigial legs, used exclusively to hold the female mating.
Another hypothesis on the origin of snakes suggests that they were close relatives of the Mosasaurs, large marine lizards of the Cretaceous (also derived from Varanoidea). In this case, the transparent lids and cast would be developed to cope with potentially harmful marine conditions, while the external ears were missing due to a lack of use, according to this hypothesis, the snakes were originally marine animals, which later colonized the land . Pachyrhachis fossils and the like testify the correctness of this hypothesis.
The great diversity of modern snakes began in the Paleocene, after the demise of the dinosaurs, and together with the adaptive radiation of mammals. In this period are known aquatic forms (Palaeophis, Pterosphenus) and giant (Titanoboa, Gigantophis), developed through a hot and humid climate.
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