Snake fossils have a 5 million year old wing

Fossil species "winged snake" lived 5 million years ago discovered in Tennessee, USA.

In a study published in Herpetology, researchers Steven Jasinski and David Moscato said they discovered fossils of a new snake that lived 5 million years ago in Tennessee, USA, ABC News on May 22. believe.

This extinct snake is scientifically named Zilantophis schuberti , meaning "Schubert's winged snake" , according to Blaine Schubert, CEO of Gray Fossil.

The image of a "winged snake" restoration lived 5 million years ago.(Photo: Steven Jasinski).

This snake-like fossil was discovered in a sinkhole in Gray Fossil , one of the most fossilized locations in the United States.

This ancient reptile is called "winged snake" because on its back there are bones that protrude like wings. However, this part of the bone is more likely to stick to the back muscles of snakes, not help them fly in the sky.

Large "winged snakes" with index fingers, more likely to live in the leafy leaves covering the ground, eating small insects or fish.

Jasinski said Zilantophis may have evolved in a small area at a time when the environment and climate were altered, the forest was replaced by grassland. This transformation or the competition by other species is likely to lead to the extinction of "winged snakes".