Asked by Delaney Borsos on Jul 08, 2024
Verified
The first snakes evolved during the Cretaceous, from short-legged, long-bodied ____.
A) lizards
B) birds
C) crocodilians
D) turtles
E) amphibians
Cretaceous
The geological period between 145 and 66 million years ago, known for the dominance of dinosaurs and ending with their extinction.
Short-legged
Short-legged describes animals or objects having noticeably short legs compared to the standard proportion or to other individuals/specimens.
Snakes
Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes, known for their distinctive slithering movement and often venomous bites.
- Learn about the evolutionary history and characteristics of chordates.
Verified Answer
ZK
Zybrea KnightJul 09, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Snakes are believed to have evolved from a group of lizards during the mid-Cretaceous period. These lizards had elongated bodies and short legs, which would have enabled them to move efficiently through underground burrows and narrow crevices. Over time, their limbs became smaller and their bodies became more elongated, eventually leading to the evolution of modern snakes.
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the evolutionary history and characteristics of chordates.