A novel study by Yale University unveiled that snakes evolved on land. To come up with the findings, the researchers have studied fossils, anatomy of 73 modern lizard and snake species. They have also gone through the genetics of these species.

Around 128 million years ago, snakes originated in the warmth of Southern Hemisphere. The researchers said that the ancient snakes had small hind legs, including ankles and toes and they had lost their forelimbs.

“By analyzing the genes, fossils and anatomy of 73 different snake and lizard species, both living and extinct, we’ve managed to generate the first comprehensive reconstruction of what the ancestral snake was like”, said Allison Hsiang, study’s lead researchers.

While carrying out the comprehensive study, the researchers came up with an evolutionary family tree of the species. The team also came to know how different characteristics evolved over time. The researchers said that ancient snakes preferred hunting vertebrates and invertebrates. They used their sharp tongue to swallow the prey at one go.

Majority of ancient snakes were nocturnal, but around 50 million years back, they became diurnal. They started remaining active during the day with the emergence of Colubroidea, which has 85% of all currently living snakes.

Currently, there are 3,400 known, living species of snakes. Researchers think that there could be more in unexplored habitats waiting to be discovered. Snakes can live in almost any place, including land habitats, fresh and salt water.

Snakes’ evolution has been difficult to study, as their bones are small, delicate and they do not fossilize easily. In fact, found fossil records have large gaps, which are mostly incomplete.