The origination of snakes has been something that has perplexed scientist for years. DNA studies show that snakes are closely related to monitor lizards and iguanas but they are much more physically close to a group of earth worm like creatures called worm lizards. A new study helps clear this confusion! The study shows that snakes are not related to lizards but they are related to lacertids which are a group of limbed lizards from Europe, Africa and Asia. Researchers have found a 47 million year old fossil that is a common relative to both lacertids and worm lizards. This fossil represents a transitionary animal which is what scientist were looking for. This proves that comparing worm lizards with snakes is incorrect. The scientist used X-rays of the fossil to find that it had a thickened skull with no external ear opening. This is similar to worm lizards. This fossilized lizard (Cryptolacerta hassiaca) is less then three inches and is the only specimen of its kind.
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