Snakes have continued their adaptations by developing different species since the time of the dinosaurs. Even though they are descendants of lizards 3 times faster than lizards They evolved.

From weighing a few grams to weighing 500 kg distinction between species How did snakes diversify so quickly (according to the evolutionary calendar)?

The diversification of species and genera of snakes is like an evolutionary ‘big bang’.

About 4,000 species, 520 genera The snakes that have it have become so diverse that some (anaconda) can be as heavy as a camel, while others (threaded snake) can be as light as a butterfly.

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There are literally 25 lizard groups that evolved from lizards over 100 million years ago. The only group to experience a ‘Big Bang’ were snakes. So why was this so advanced only in snakes?

There has been a quantum leap in the early adaptation of snakes, which are responsible for an eighth of the diversity of terrestrial vertebrates.

Snakes; ‘chemoreceptive’ structures that help them locate their prey with great professionalism using scent and heat, flexible jaws that allow them to swallow large meals, and deadly toxins they developed.

Many of the adaptations, such as their elongated bodies and flexible skulls, could not evolve in legless lizards. Probably with many happy changes occurring in quick succession Their diversity increased and in the process snakes evolved three times faster than lizards.

Snakes were killed off during the mass extinction that occurred 66 million years ago and ended several groups of reptiles, including non-avian dinosaurs. of ecological divide had the chance to benefit more. While lizards hunted insects, today’s snakes; He started seeing rodents, birds, kangaroos and even crocodiles as prey.

Snakes diversified based on their prey and developed different characteristics.

Predation by snakes led to the diversification of species. Some developed digging skills to hunt sea creatures, while others developed skills to swallow bird eggs. Those who hide in caves, those who can swim, those who climb trees… Whatever you’re looking for, it’s there. All the while, the lizards continued to target invertebrates small enough to fit in their mouths.

Snakes, which are adventurous enough to eat even harmful foods that other creatures would not dare to eat, can be eaten in the blink of an eye. diversified according to geological standards and has survived to this day with thousands of species. Moreover, the reproduction process of their species still continues.

According to experts, small and unforeseen changes led to large and unexpected consequences.

Big Bang Theory, Our universe emerged from a singularity and has produced unexpected results. suggests. According to researchers, we can also adapt this to snakes in biology.

In evolutionary time order a series of immediate and densely packed changes, It caused an unexpected and enormous explosion of snake species.

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