Did Snakes Once Have Feet? How Did They Lose Them?

How Snakes Streamlined Their Once Lizard-like Body Design: A genomic study reveals the Secrets. - June 22, 2023

Editor’s Note:

Snakes are a fascinating group of reptiles that have evolved extraordinary capabilities over time. Interestingly, according to the study, snakes' ancestors originally had legs like lizards, but they gradually lost them over millions of years as they adapted to life underground. However, the Chinese idiom, "画蛇添足" (huà shé tiān zú), warns against unnecessary additions to something that is already perfect.

How did snakes evolve to lose their legs, grow extra-long bodies, and develop super senses? A groundbreaking study has deciphered the genetic code behind these remarkable adaptations by sequencing the genomes of 14 snake species. Published in the journal Cell on June 19, 2023, this research represents the most extensive and detailed genomic analysis of snakes ever conducted

Snakes are a captivating group of reptiles that have evolved to inhabit various environments and adopt diverse lifestyles. Their unique characteristics include limb loss, elongated bodies, asymmetrical l…