Rare Najash fossil reveals snakes once had legs and evolved in slow gradual steps

Published on 1 May 2026

The ancient snake kept hindlimbs

A newly studied fossil, Najash rionegrina, suggests snakes didn’t suddenly lose legs. Instead, evolution unfolded gradually: this ancient reptile still had hindlimbs and a distinctive skull, bridging lizards and modern snakes. The findings strengthen the case for slow, step-by-step body reshaping over millions of years, offering a clearer timeline for snake evolution.

Najash rionegrina shows snakes had hindlimbs
Unique skull traits bridge lizards and modern snakes
Evidence supports gradual evolution over millions of years
Findings refine how snakes reshaped their bodies

#snakes #fossils #paleontology #evolution

Read the full story at The Economic Times

This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on The Economic Times

Rare Najash fossil reveals snakes once had legs and evolved in slow gradual steps

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