Palaeophis colossaeus

Palaeophis colossaeus

Period

Paleogene

Location

England, France, Denmark, Morocco and Mali, and North america

Length

8.1–12.3 m

Weight

17,000 kg

Diet

Carnivore

Category

Prehistoric Reptiles - Giant Snakes

Family

Palaeophiidae

About Palaeophis colossaeus

Palaeophis colossaeus

Overview

Palaeophis was a giant sea snake that lived approximately 55-50 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. This massive marine predator could grow up to 9-12 meters long—making it one of the largest snakes to ever enter the oceans! Unlike modern sea snakes, Palaeophis was a true giant of the ancient seas.

Taxonomy & Classification

  • Class: Reptilia
  • Family: Palaeophiidae
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Type: Ancient marine snake

Palaeophis was NOT related to modern sea snakes—it was part of an entirely extinct family.

Physical Characteristics

Size & Build

  • Length: 8-12 meters (26-40 feet)
  • Weight: Estimated up to 17,000 kg (though this seems high for a snake)
  • Build: Long, eel-like body

Marine Adaptations

  • Flattened tail for swimming
  • Streamlined body for moving through water
  • Possibly paddle-like features
  • Still had vestigial limbs (tiny leftovers from land ancestors)
  • Sharp teeth for catching fish

Giant of the Eocene Seas

An Ocean Predator

Palaeophis was a fearsome hunter:

  • Hunted fish and marine animals
  • Used flexible jaws to swallow large prey
  • Probably an ambush predator
  • Lurked in warm, shallow seas
  • Apex predator in its ecosystem

Where It Lived

Worldwide Waters

Palaeophis fossils found in:

  • England and France
  • Denmark and Morocco
  • Mali in Africa
  • North America
  • Lived in warm, tropical seas worldwide

The Eocene World

A Warmer Earth

Palaeophis lived during a special time:

  • 55-50 million years ago
  • Earth was much warmer than today
  • No polar ice caps
  • Tropical seas reached far north
  • Perfect conditions for giant cold-blooded reptiles

Palaeophis vs. Modern Sea Snakes

Feature Palaeophis Modern Sea Snakes
Length 9-12m 1-2m
Family Palaeophiidae (extinct) Hydrophiidae
Era Eocene Now
Size Giant Small

Palaeophis was much larger than any sea snake alive today!

Cool Facts

  • Palaeophis means "ancient snake"
  • It could grow longer than a school bus!
  • Lived during the warmest period since the dinosaurs
  • Fossils found on multiple continents
  • NOT related to modern sea snakes—evolved separately
  • Had tiny vestigial limbs from land-dwelling ancestors
  • One of the largest marine snakes ever

Palaeophis was a giant of the ancient oceans—a sea serpent of the Eocene that proves snakes were just as at home in the water as on land!