History of Snake in Timeline

Snakes are limbless reptiles belonging to the suborder Serpentes. They are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in scales. Their skulls have extra joints allowing them to swallow large prey. Snakes' paired organs are arranged sequentially, and most have only one functional lung. Some retain a pelvic girdle with vestigial claws. Legless lizards have evolved independently and resemble snakes, but often possess eyelids and external ears, features absent in snakes.

1972: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Irula Snake Catcher's Cooperative

In 1972, after the complete ban of the snake-skin industry in India and protection of all snakes under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, the Irulas formed the Irula Snake Catcher's Cooperative. They switched to catching snakes for venom extraction, releasing them after, with the venom used for antivenom and biomedical research.

1972: Wildlife Protection Act prohibits snake charming in India

In 1972, the Wildlife Protection Act in India technically prohibited snake charming on the grounds of reducing animal cruelty.

2015: Discovery of Tetrapodophis amplectus

In 2015, a 113-million-year-old fossil of a four-legged snake was discovered in Brazil and named Tetrapodophis amplectus. The fossil has snake-like features and is adapted for burrowing, with its stomach contents indicating it preyed on other animals.

2016: Limb Loss Linked to DNA Mutations

In 2016, two studies reported that limb loss in snakes is associated with DNA mutations in the Zone of Polarizing Activity Regulatory Sequence (ZRS), a regulatory region of the sonic hedgehog gene, which is critically required for limb development.

2021: Tetrapodophis reclassification

In 2021, a study reclassified Tetrapodophis, placing it within a group of extinct marine lizards from the Cretaceous period known as dolichosaurs, indicating it is not directly related to snakes.