Fossil snake from Argentina reveals early snakes had hind legs and a lost cheekbone

sciencedaily.com

A 100-million-year-old snake fossil from Argentina reveals early snakes possessed hind legs and a lost cheekbone, challenging previous theories about their origins. The remarkably preserved fossil, Najash rionegrina, suggests early snakes were large, wide-mouthed predators, not small burrowers, and retained hindlimbs for an extended period. This discovery provides crucial empirical evidence correcting anatomical debates and offers a clearer understanding of the evolutionary transition to modern snake body plans.


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Fossil snake from Argentina reveals early snakes had hind legs and a lost cheekbone | News Minimalist