A 12.8-meter-long prehistoric snake, Titanoboa cerrejonensis, was discovered in a Colombian coal mine, revealing ancient tropical climates and challenging reptile size theories.
Ancient giant snake found in Colombia
A 12.8-meter-long prehistoric snake known as Titanoboa cerrejonensis, weighing over one ton, was discovered in a coal mine in Colombia. The snake's vertebrae, dated between 58 and 60 million years old, were found in the Cerrejón open-pit mine in the La Guajira department.Discovery challenges reptile size assumptions
The vertebrae were described in 2009 in the journal Nature by researchers led by Jason Head and Jonathan Bloch. The discovery challenged previous assumptions about the size of ancient reptiles, as the initial bones were mistaken for those of a giant crocodile.Climate insights from the giant snake
Titanoboa's immense size suggests that the Paleocene epoch had much higher tropical temperatures than today. Cold-blooded reptiles grow larger in warmer climates, and the snake's size supports this theory.Other giant fossils found in the mine
The Cerrejón mine has also yielded fossils of other large prehistoric animals, such as the turtles Carbonemys cofrinii and Puentemys mushaisaensis. Carbonemys cofrinii, discovered in 2005, had a shell measuring 172 centimeters.Mine's current operations and challenges
The Cerrejón mine is currently operated by Glencore under a concession that extends until 2034. It includes the mine, a 150-kilometer railway, and a port on the Caribbean coast.Mine faces production decline and closure discussions
Production at the mine has declined, dropping from 19.2 million tons of coal in 2024 to 16.8 million tons in 2025, a decrease of 12.5 percent. Discussions about the mine's future are now underway, with the Colombian government inviting Glencore to engage with local communities and authorities.
