Titanoboa

Overview

Titanoboa cerrejonensis was a giant snake from the Paleocene, after the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs. Its fossils were discovered in Colombia’s Cerrejón coal mine, where fossil plants and animals preserve evidence of an ancient tropical ecosystem.

“The Cerrejón fossils place Titanoboa in a rainforest environment about 60 million years ago. Its size is reconstructed from vertebrae rather than a complete skeleton.”

Key facts

Size & simulator stats

Estimated at about 13 m long from vertebrae; this is a reconstruction because no complete skeleton is known.

Length

13 m

Height

1.2 m

Weight

1.1 t

See how Titanoboa measures up in the sourced size comparison chart.

Habitat

Paleocene tropical rainforest of what is now northern Colombia.

Tropical forests and wetlands of present-day northern Colombia; fossils were found in the Cerrejón Formation.

Diet

A large constricting snake; the associated fossil community includes fish and other animals that could have served as prey.

Carnivore. It was a large constricting snake; the exact prey is inferred from its anatomy and associated fossils.

Fossils & discovery

First described from Fossil record (Multiple fossil formations).The Cerrejón fossils place Titanoboa in a rainforest environment about 60 million years ago. Its size is reconstructed from vertebrae rather than a complete skeleton.

Research sources

• Florida Museum of Natural History: Titanoboa

Sources checked on September 28, 2026 by the Dinosaurs Names Editorial Team. Editorial policy

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