Misfit of evolution? 37-million-year-old ‘paradox snake’ fossil was neither a swimmer nor a digger
A peculiar 37-million-year-old snake fossil, Paradoxophidion richardoweni, unearthed in England, is rewriting evolutionary timelines. Its unique vertebrae, unlike any known snake, suggest a lifestyle beyond burrowing or swimming. This discovery challenges existing snake family trees and hints at greater ancient diversity in Europe, prompting a re-examination of museum collections.
A peculiar 37-million-year-old snake fossil, Paradoxophidion richardoweni, unearthed in England, is rewriting evolutionary timelines. Its unique vertebrae, unlike any known snake, suggest a lifestyle beyond burrowing or swimming. This discovery challenges existing snake family trees and hints at greater ancient diversity in Europe, prompting a re-examination of museum collections.
