Scientists have revealed that the meteorite that hit the earth about 66 million years ago may have allowed snake species to reach today. The snakes, which could continue in their lives even if they were hungry for 1 year in time, would not be among us today if it were not for that meteorite.
66 million years ago, an asteroid hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, a crater with a diameter of 200 kilometers in the area had created. including dinosaurs destroying 76% of life on earth This collision may be the reason why snake species have survived to this day, according to a new study.
Scientists say that after the meteorite hit, there were natural disasters such as tsunami, earthquake and fire for many years in the world, despite the snakes’ food chains being broken He stated that he could endure hunger for long periods of time by hiding underground.
Snakes have not changed much over millions of years.
One of the lead authors of the study, Dr. Catherine Klein; “The snakes were able to survive in this environment where the food chain was destroyed and adapted to their new environment by spreading to other continents” when using expressions, If it weren’t for the impact of the meteorite, snakes would not be among us today, getting lost in the food chain. states.
According to the article published in Nature Communications, the ancestors of thousands of snake species found in the world today are based on snake species at the time of the meteorite impact. Scientists also note that it hasn’t changed much over millions of years.that the snake fossils found were legless and flexible jawed, just like the species living now. emphasizes.