Reconstructing a Prehistoric Giant: Titanoboa cerrejonensis

        My work has focused on understanding the functional morphology and integrative physiology of snake movements.  In general, my research has focused on quantifying two evolutionarily important behaviors: constriction and striking.  I integrate the principles of biomechanics and functional morphology with behavior, ecology, and changes in body size observed across ontogeny.
        In 2009, a giant snake fossil of unprecedented size was unearthed: Titanoboa cerrejonensis.  Titanoboa was unlike anything alive today with an estimated length of 13 meters and a weight of over 1,150 kg.  My job in this documentary was to reconstruct the striking and constriction performance of the world's largest snake by studying how changes in body size affects performance in living snakes.

Secrets of the Dead: Graveyard of the Giant Beasts aired on PBS in the US in November 2016

Photo Credits: Brad Moon