{
  "id": 14287453,
  "title": "Titanoboa: The Colombian Fossils That Revealed the World’s Largest Snake",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/titanoboa-the-colombian-fossils-that-revealed-the-worlds-largest-snake",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-13T20:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/10/13/titanoboa-fossils-colombia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In deep La Guajira, northern Colombia, fossilized remains of Titanoboa cerrejonensis, a prehistoric snake, were discovered in a coal mine. Estimated to have lived approximately 60 million years ago, this snake could reach lengths of up to 15 meters and weigh over one metric ton. The discovery, made by paleontologist Edwin Cadena in 2005, shed light on life in a tropical ecosystem that existed after the dinosaurs' extinction.\n\nInitially, researchers thought the first fossils might belong to a giant crocodile. However, further excavations revealed the true identity of these remains. The fossils included skulls, vertebrae, and ribs, leading to the description of a new extinct snake species. The scientific name Titanoboa cerrejonensis reflects both its size and its Colombian origin.\n\nTitanoboa's size set it apart from modern snakes, with some estimates suggesting its body could be nearly one meter in diameter. Its mass also surpassed that of other reptiles. The discovery provided valuable insights into the environment of northern South America during the Paleocene, a time when the region was covered by a humid tropical rainforest.\n\nToday, visitors can see the original fossils of Titanoboa at the José Royo y Gómez National Geological Museum in Bogota. The museum's exhibition, titled \"Titanoboa cerrejonensis: One of the Largest Snakes That Ever Existed,\" allows the public to view these remarkable fossils, alongside comparisons with a modern anaconda to illustrate the snake's enormous size.",
  "summary": "Deep inside a coal mine in La Guajira, northern Colombia, the remains of one of the most remarkable reptiles ever to inhabit Earth were discovered. It was Titanoboa cerrejonensis, a prehistoric snake that lived approximately 60 million years ago and, according to scientific estimates, could reach up to 15 meters in length and weigh more […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}