Titanoboa Discovery and Its Context

What is the primary reason for the environmental impact of the Cerrejón coal mine?

• Mining for coal

• Urban development

• Tourism activities

• Deforestation for agriculture

What was unique about South America's evolutionary history?

• It was connected to Africa

• It was isolated, leading to unique species

• It had no large mammals

• It was covered in ice

How did the Cerrejón mine's geological history contribute to fossil discoveries?

• By being a site of frequent earthquakes

• By providing access to deep earth layers

• By being a site of volcanic activity

• By being a desert area

What epoch do the fossils found in the Cerrejón mine date back to?

• Triassic

• Jurassic

• Cretaceous

• Paleocene

Which animal was initially considered as a possible source of the mystery vertebra?

• Giant fish

• Giant bird

• Giant sloth

• Giant turtle

What was the final conclusion about the origin of the mystery vertebra?

• It belonged to a giant bird

• It belonged to a prehistoric crocodile

• It belonged to a massive snake

• It belonged to a giant mammal

What is the name given to the massive prehistoric snake discovered?

• Gigantophis

• Titanoboa

• Megalania

• Sarcosuchus

How long could the Titanoboa grow up to?

• 40 feet

• 50 feet

• 20 feet

• 30 feet

What climatic condition was essential for the Titanoboa's large size?

• Cold and dry

• Hot and dry

• Cold and wet

• Hot and wet

What was a significant factor in the extinction of the Titanoboa?

• Volcanic eruptions

• Predation by humans

• Climate cooling

• Lack of food