Titanoboa, The World's Largest Snake, 'Could Swallow Crocodiles Whole'

[Kayla90]

Hmm that's pretty cool... though it looks awfully familiar.. kind of like a giant boa... (which of course is probably why they named it Titanoboa) but I have to think if our species of snakes have changed even just a little in appearance over the many years, then that snake probably didn't look exactly like our boa's do now...

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Kayla90

Hmm that's pretty cool... though it looks awfully familiar.. kind of like a giant boa... (which of course is probably why they named it Titanoboa) but I have to think if our species of snakes have changed even just a little in appearance over the many years, then that snake probably didn't look exactly like our boa's do now...

Well, if you think about it, boids (pythons and boas) are among the more primitive members of the snake group. Take away the coloration and most constrictors look very much the same, with few minor differences.

Given the size of the animal in question, I'm betting Titanoboa was probably a descendant of anacondas more than actual boas like BCC, BCI, etc. I'd be interested to see skull comparisons between all of them so which modern species Titanoboa most closely emulates.

All that said, the coloration is all purely conjecture and speculation, but IMHO, the painting of Titanoboa is probably more accurate than the sculpture.

[Kayla90]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Well, if you think about it, boids (pythons and boas) are among the more primitive members of the snake group. Take away the coloration and most constrictors look very much the same, with few minor differences.

Given the size of the animal in question, I'm betting Titanoboa was probably a descendant of anacondas more than actual boas like BCC, BCI, etc. I'd be interested to see skull comparisons between all of them so which modern species Titanoboa most closely emulates.

All that said, the coloration is all purely conjecture and speculation, but IMHO, the painting of Titanoboa is probably more accurate than the sculpture.

Yea the painting definitely looks more realistic.

[Shmoges]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Well, if you think about it, boids (pythons and boas) Given the size of the animal in question, I'm betting Titanoboa was probably a descendant of anacondas more than actual boas like BCC, BCI, etc. I'd be interested to see skull comparisons between all of them so which modern species Titanoboa most closely emulates.

don't you mean ancestor?

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Shmoges

don't you mean ancestor?

LOL, yes! Thank you!