Titanoboa – reptile king of the prehistoric rainforest

Sixty million years ago in the steamy prehistoric forests of what is now Colombia, there slithered a 50-foot, 2,500-pound reptile. Its bones were found in an open coal pit in 2006. Carlos Jaramillo thought at first he and his team had found fossils from an ancient crocodile. But no. It was a snake. Jaramillo and his co-researchers published their findings in the journal Nature in February 2009 and named the reptile Titanoboa. The paleontologist earned a master’s degree in geology and geophysics from S&T in 1995.

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Robert and Mary (Shultz) Hoffmann

Robert and Mary (Shultz) Hoffmann

Robert Hoffmann knew right away when Mary (Shultz) walked into a fraternity house party with a group of four friends…

Not your average Joe

Not your average Joe

You know all about Joe Miner, the world’s greatest mascot. But do you know Joe Minor, the civil engineer? Joseph…

So April. Very Fools. Many Smart. Amaze.

So April. Very Fools. Many Smart. Amaze.

We don’t always pull pranks on April Fool’s Day. But when we do, we win. So proclaimed WIRED on their…

Suzanna Long: An ‘80s alumna remembers

Suzanna Long: An ‘80s alumna remembers

Engineering management Chair Suzanna Long, who holds four degrees from the university...

Amanda (Kay Hansen) and Chris Byrd

Amanda (Kay Hansen) and Chris Byrd

It was a fire drill at TJ Residence Hall in September 1999 that first brought Amanda (Kay Hansen) and Chris…

Surveying the future of mining

Surveying the future of mining

Karl F. Hasselmann, who graduated in 1925 with a degree in mining engineering, was oil prospecting in Europe when he…