The replica of the giant serpent was created after scientists discovered an actual vertebrate from the extinct snake in a Columbian coal mine in what was once a South American rain forest.
Its closest relative living today would be the green anaconda, which can grow to almost 30 feet and weigh up to 550 pounds.
Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the proper scientific name of the snake which is thrilling visitors brave enough to visit the special exhibit, comes from combining the words titanic, boa, and the name of the mine where the fossil was found.
Scientists can't determine from the fossil if the snake now displayed was a male or a female. However, since females in the boa family are larger than males, if the replica does represent a male, it is quite possible that fossils indicating even larger snakes could be uncovered. The scientists are fairly certain they do know how the snakes reproduced. Several males would wrap around a female in a mating ball. Females then would give birth to as many as 100 snakes at a time.
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