Four-Legged Snake Ancestor Dug Burrows With Tiny Limbs

Tetrapodophis uses its arms and legs to grasp a meal. (Credit: Julius S. Cstony) Snakes’ earliest ancestors liked to hug it out. Scientists announced this week the discovery of a 113-million-year-old four-legged reptile fossil found in Brazil. That makes it the most primitive ancestor of modern-day snakes ever found. While scientists have previously identified ancient snake fossils rocking a pair of hind limbs, this is also the first four-legged snake scientists have ever seen. And the way this snake used its delicate arms helps clarify a longstanding debate about the snake family tree.