34-Million-Year-Old Snake Fossils in Wyoming Reveal Ancient Social Behavior

Discovery of Hibernophis breithaupti offers new insights into the evolution and hibernation habits of early boas and pythons.

Four well-preserved snake fossils were found intertwined in a single burrow, indicating possible social behavior.
The new species, Hibernophis breithaupti, lived 34 million years ago and is related to modern boas and pythons.
Articulated skeletons provided rare anatomical details, aiding in the identification of the species.
The discovery suggests that northern and central North America played a key role in the evolution of burrowing boas.
Researchers believe these snakes may have hibernated together to conserve heat, similar to modern garter snakes.