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A 113-million-year-old fossil from Brazil is the first four-legged snake that scientists have ever seen. Several other fossil snakes have have been found with hind limbs, but the new find is estimated to be a direct ancestor of modern snakes.
Its delicate arms and legs were not used for walking, but probably helped the creature to grab its prey. The fossil shows adaptations for burrowing, not swimming, strengthening the idea that snakes evolved on land.
That debate is a long-running one among palaeontologists, and researchers say wiggle-room is running out for the idea that snakes developed from marine reptiles.
Wikipedia entry for snake includes key differences between snakes and legless lizard.
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Fossil of the First Four-Legged Snake Found From Brazil
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You know, the difference between this company and the Titanic is that the
Titanic had paying customers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 24 2015, @07:37PM
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Argh! Snake, a snake!
Snaaake! A snaaaake, oooh its a snake!