Ancient 4-Meter Python Unearthed in Taiwan, Rewriting Island’s Pleistocene History
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A remarkable fossil discovery reveals that massive pythons, reaching nearly 4 meters (13 feet) in length, once roamed the island of Taiwan during the Middle Pleistocene epoch. This finding, detailed in a study published online January 16, 2026, in the journal Historical Biology, marks the first confirmed fossil evidence of pythons on Taiwan’s main island and dramatically alters our understanding of the island’s prehistoric ecosystem.
A Lost Predator Returns to Light
Paleontologists from National Taiwan University uncovered a single, well-preserved trunk vertebra near Tainan City, Taiwan. Dating back between 800,000 and 400,000 years ago, the fossil was definitively identified as belonging to the Python genus. “This fossil represents the largest and most unexpected fossil snake from Taiwan,” researchers stated. The size of the ancient snake, estimated through a reconstructed 3D model of the vertebra, significantly exceeds that of any snake species currently inhabiting Taiwan.
Python Distribution and Taiwan’s Unique Case
The Python genus encompasses nearly ten species of snakes found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the eastern hemisphere. Today, pythons are native to tropical Africa south of the Sahara, and across a vast swathe of Asia, from Bangladesh and India to Indonesia and the Philippines. However, “No living members of the genus Python inhabit the main island of Taiwan,” according to the research team. This makes the fossil discovery all the more significant, highlighting a dramatic shift in Taiwan’s fauna over millennia.
A Pleistocene Ecosystem Rich in Predators
The fossil was recovered from the Chiting Formation, a geological unit renowned for its rich fossil record. This location has previously yielded remains of other formidable creatures from the Middle Pleistocene, including saber-toothed cats, large crocodilians, mammoths, and extinct rhinoceroses. The presence of these megafauna, alongside the giant python, paints a picture of a complex and predator-rich ecosystem vastly different from modern Taiwan.
Faunal Turnover and the Vacant Niche
Researchers believe the disappearance of these top predators, including the newly discovered python and previously identified saber-toothed cats and crocodiles, points to a significant “faunal turnover” – a dramatic change in the animal species inhabiting the region. “The vanished top predator…in the modern biodiversity of Taiwan, indicates a drastic faunal turnover,” the scientists concluded. They propose that the ecological niche once occupied by these apex predators may have remained vacant since the Pleistocene extinction event.
The team emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the origins of modern biodiversity in the Far East. “Future discovery and in-depth analysis should test the hypotheses and illuminate the origin of modern biodiversity in the Far East,” they stated. This discovery serves as a potent reminder of the dynamic nature of ecosystems and the hidden histories preserved within the fossil record.
Yi-Lu Liaw et al. An unexpected snake fossil (Pythonidae, Python) from Taiwan. Historical Biology, published online January 16, 2026; doi: 10.1080/08912963.2025.2610741.
