Oldest fossil evidence of modern African venomous snakes found in Tanzania

[News Bot]

Scientists have found the oldest definitive fossil evidence of modern, venomous snakes in Africa. The newly discovered fossils demonstrate that elapid snakes -- such as cobras, kraits and sea snakes -- were present in Africa as early as 25 million years ago. Elapids belong to a larger group of snakes known as colubroids, active foragers that use a variety of methods, including venom, to capture and kill prey.

Published On: 21-Mar-14 12:15 AM
Source: ScienceDaily

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