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**Galvasean** · 07-03-2012, 15:49

What I want to know is when did the Smithsonian get their own TV channel and what will be the alternative if/when it is released over here?

**Mickeroo** · 07-03-2012, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Khor

Considering how it was (perhaps unfairly) declared the undisputed largest snake of all times and was on the news for ages, even stealing the thunder of the creatures found in the same formation (whenever one was announced, it was as "food for Titanoboa")... yes, somewhat.

In my defence I don't watch the news much and even when I do the irish news doesn't give much air time to palaeontology unfortunately

**Galvasean** · 07-03-2012, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickeroo

In my defence I don't watch the news much and even when I do the irish news doesn't give much air time to palaeontology unfortunately

That's why you come straight here for the latest scoops

**Adam Khor** · 07-03-2012, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickeroo

In my defence I don't watch the news much and even when I do the irish news doesn't give much air time to palaeontology unfortunately

Haha no worries, I don´t watch the news either- I read them online, and only those related to subjects I care about

**Adam Khor** · 22-03-2012, 18:49

The Smithsonian is doing a great job of promoting its Titanoboa documentary; here are some photos of the impressive life-sized model they put at New York's Grand Central Station, depicted in the act of swallowing a crocodile.

Of course, they describe it as "the T-Rex of snakes", but for once I think I like the comparison. Few creatures deserve the title of monster better than this snake

Oh and here's the show's official site where you can see the previews and some interesting clips:

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/si...ow=140671#main

**Mickeroo** · 23-03-2012, 21:09

Jebus, I hope they have Conan the Barbarian on standby in case that thing comes to life

steddyeddy · 23-03-2012, 22:57

For the love of st.pubus that things huge!!!

**Kess73** · 27-03-2012, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickeroo

Jebus, I hope they have Conan the Barbarian on standby in case that thing comes to life

Thulsa Doom won't be happy if another snake gets the chop.

**Kess73** · 27-03-2012, 11:41

That display model just looks wrong to my eyes. The bulk versus length looks very wrong for an animal that uses constriction as it's main method of finishing off it's soon to be meal. Could just be the angle of the pics that is throwing me off though, especially that second pic.

**Galvasean** · 27-03-2012, 11:44

It looks a bit squat in some pics, but I'd say if it was laid out 'flat' it would look less so.

Rubecula · 27-03-2012, 17:30

The model may be incorrect in some ways, and it probably is to be truthful. Yet the model with people around it makes for a far more impressive picture than a sketch or artist's impression. May just be me of course, but I do like photographs with people in them as it gives a much better image in my head.

**Adam Khor** · 27-03-2012, 20:32

Well, it looks much thicker on the front than it would normally look like because it's swallowing a big crocodile

But even if it wasn´t, not all constricting snakes have the same proportions. Take the blood python; extremely stout for its size, yet it kills by constriction anyways.
I read that new Titanoboa remains have been found so, maybe there's enough material to assume it was a particularly robust snake as well?

**Kess73** · 27-03-2012, 23:12

The blood python is a very good modern snake to use as an example of bulk to length extremes in a snake imho.

Most modern snakes that are overly bulky in build have a head that is wdier than the neck and the neck and the body just after it is a lot less bulky than the middle third and most of the final third with the tail being very short and getting thin quickly.

The Titanoboa (going by earlier reports) seemed to be of similar design, but of late it seems to be turning into a tank of a snake in terms of build with it staying pretty bulky from head almost to tail tip.

It is most likely just me though and the angles the pics are taken from.

I was taking the swallowing of the croc into account and factoring in some neck stretch as a result, but I think what also bothered me was the width of the skull compared to the first third of the snake (even taking the croc into account assuming the croc takes up anything up to 50% of the first third). Just seems wrong as a bulky in build snake needs that bit to be more flexible than the rest of it's body, and the thicker that bit gets (and closer in diameter to the second third) the slower the snaker would be in striking, biting, changing direction etc etc.

I just think waaaaaaaaaay too much into things.

**Adam Khor** · 28-03-2012, 00:50

Well, the size of the snake alone does get you wondering how it could strike etc but just because something is hard to imagine... I sooo wish we could see one alive tho

**Galvasean** · 28-03-2012, 01:00

I'd say it must have been fairly aquatic. When you look at the green anaconda today, they almost never hunt out of water as they are too bulky. Under water however, all bets are off!

22-03-2012, 18:49	#35
Adam Khor Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,561 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Zoology	The Smithsonian is doing a great job of promoting its Titanoboa documentary; here are some photos of the impressive life-sized model they put at New York's Grand Central Station, depicted in the act of swallowing a crocodile. Of course, they describe it as "the T-Rex of snakes", but for once I think I like the comparison. Few creatures deserve the title of monster better than this snake Oh and here's the show's official site where you can see the previews and some interesting clips: http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/si...ow=140671#main Last edited by Adam Khor; 22-03-2012 at 20:53.

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07-03-2012, 15:49	#31
Galvasean Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hell's Creek Posts: 32,237 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Transformers	What I want to know is when did the Smithsonian get their own TV channel and what will be the alternative if/when it is released over here?

23-03-2012, 21:09	#36
Mickeroo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Not here Posts: 10,135 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Halo, Nature & Bird Watching, Surfing, Zoology	Jebus, I hope they have Conan the Barbarian on standby in case that thing comes to life

23-03-2012, 22:57	#37
steddyeddy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dublin Posts: 7,889 Adverts \| Friends	For the love of st.pubus that things huge!!!

27-03-2012, 11:41	#39
Kess73 Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: T�r na n�g Posts: 22,342 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Midwest, Nature & Bird Watching	That display model just looks wrong to my eyes. The bulk versus length looks very wrong for an animal that uses constriction as it's main method of finishing off it's soon to be meal. Could just be the angle of the pics that is throwing me off though, especially that second pic.

27-03-2012, 11:44	#40
Galvasean Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hell's Creek Posts: 32,237 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Transformers	It looks a bit squat in some pics, but I'd say if it was laid out 'flat' it would look less so.

27-03-2012, 17:30	#41
Rubecula Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Anglesey, North Wales. Where mankind fears to go. Posts: 2,651 Adverts \| Friends	The model may be incorrect in some ways, and it probably is to be truthful. Yet the model with people around it makes for a far more impressive picture than a sketch or artist's impression. May just be me of course, but I do like photographs with people in them as it gives a much better image in my head.

27-03-2012, 20:32	#42
Adam Khor Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,561 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Zoology	Well, it looks much thicker on the front than it would normally look like because it's swallowing a big crocodile But even if it wasn´t, not all constricting snakes have the same proportions. Take the blood python; extremely stout for its size, yet it kills by constriction anyways. I read that new Titanoboa remains have been found so, maybe there's enough material to assume it was a particularly robust snake as well?

27-03-2012, 23:12	#43
Kess73 Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: T�r na n�g Posts: 22,342 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Midwest, Nature & Bird Watching	The blood python is a very good modern snake to use as an example of bulk to length extremes in a snake imho. Most modern snakes that are overly bulky in build have a head that is wdier than the neck and the neck and the body just after it is a lot less bulky than the middle third and most of the final third with the tail being very short and getting thin quickly. The Titanoboa (going by earlier reports) seemed to be of similar design, but of late it seems to be turning into a tank of a snake in terms of build with it staying pretty bulky from head almost to tail tip. It is most likely just me though and the angles the pics are taken from. I was taking the swallowing of the croc into account and factoring in some neck stretch as a result, but I think what also bothered me was the width of the skull compared to the first third of the snake (even taking the croc into account assuming the croc takes up anything up to 50% of the first third). Just seems wrong as a bulky in build snake needs that bit to be more flexible than the rest of it's body, and the thicker that bit gets (and closer in diameter to the second third) the slower the snaker would be in striking, biting, changing direction etc etc. I just think waaaaaaaaaay too much into things.

28-03-2012, 00:50	#44
Adam Khor Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,561 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Zoology	Well, the size of the snake alone does get you wondering how it could strike etc but just because something is hard to imagine... I sooo wish we could see one alive tho

28-03-2012, 01:00	#45
Galvasean Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hell's Creek Posts: 32,237 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Transformers	I'd say it must have been fairly aquatic. When you look at the green anaconda today, they almost never hunt out of water as they are too bulky. Under water however, all bets are off!