New Giant Lizard Rivals Largest Ever

Galvasean

Although it's bones were first found in 1966, only now have researchers realised the importance of a massive type of prehistoric lizard which was much bigger than the world's current record holder the komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and rivaling Megalania prisca*, the extinct record holder.
Although not too much research has been conducted yet, it was most likely a powerful ambush hunter which, like it's close relatives, used a combination of venom and bacteria contained within it's saliva to bring down large prey.

The "tantalizing bones"—which date to the middle of the Pleistocene epoch (1.8 million to 11,500 years ago)—are unique enough that Hocknull suspects they represent a new species. But only "more fossils and time will tell," said Hocknull, senior curator of geosciences at Australia's Queensland Museum.

The newfound predator would have lived in open landscapes alongside giant tortoises, dwarf elephants, and perhaps even the extinct human ancestral species Homo erectus, Hocknull said.

Full article here.

Related story on the history of the komodo dragon family.




*While I do refer to the Megalania as Megalania prisca, many scientists believe it is actually part of the komodo dragon's genus (Varanus) and therefore should be called Varanus prisca instead.

Capt'n Midnight

I suppose it will depend on the poison glands in the jaws to show if it's a dragon.
Until this the Komodo dragon is the largest known venomous animal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalania - another giant lizard that may have wiped out by the first humans who arrived there, but it's more of a monitor lizard than a komodo cousin, unless they find venom glands or such.

There was some talk of introducing komodo dragons into Oz to fill the niche left behind when Megalania was killed. Pleanty of large mamals for it to eat , kangeroos used to be the biggest mammal in Oz but humans have introduced others since.

Galvasean

It might go some way to stem the rabbit population, but I'm sure it would all backfire the moment a komodo mauled a child.

Galvasean

Just spotted this news item from last year. A relative of these giants has been living hidden among us all this time.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/100407-new-giant-lizard-varabus-bitatawa-biology-letters/

At about six and a half feet (two meters) long, the new lizard species is closely related to the world's largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon. Unlike the Komodo, though, Varanus bitatawa has evolved to be a vegetarian.

Capt'n Midnight

... is as long as a tall human, and lives in a heavily populated area ... has gone undetected by science until now ...

Icke ant believe it :eek:

Rubecula

Hmmm Lizard stuffed with rabbit........yummy:pac:

steddyeddy

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

... is as long as a tall human, and lives in a heavily populated area ... has gone undetected by science until now ...

Icke ant believe it :eek:

Indeed and its primarily a fruit eater believe. Although I would take issue with some scientists saying it was completely unknown (I know your not saying that). The local people claimed to see this animal again and again often they were called "weak minded) or uneducated. The same thing happened with the mountain Gorilla, giant squid, Okapi and more recently the Hoan keim turtle as seen below.




The only people who are ineducated in this matter are the scientists who ignore the precedent of the discovery of new animals. The above beast was also aparantly a figment of peoples imagination. The lake is only 600 meters long yet this animal went unknown for hundreds of years. Their are a ton of reported animals worldwide that are only pursued by a small number of biologists that have as much a place in reality as the giant above! Sorry rant over but the fruit eating phillipines creature has been known by locals for years!

Galvasean

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

... is as long as a tall human, and lives in a heavily populated area ... has gone undetected by science until now ...

Icke ant believe it :eek:

Fantastic word play

Adam Khor

steddyeddy wrote: »

The only people who are ineducated in this matter are the scientists who ignore the precedent of the discovery of new animals. The above beast was also aparantly a figment of peoples imagination. The lake is only 600 meters long yet this animal went unknown for hundreds of years. Their are a ton of reported animals worldwide that are only pursued by a small number of biologists that have as much a place in reality as the giant above! Sorry rant over but the fruit eating phillipines creature has been known by locals for years!

This seem to happen a lot. Scientists often reject as myth and superstition things that local people actually coexisting with the creatures have known forever. People in India and Russia say that tigers can mimic the sound of a deer to attract actual deer to an ambush. Scientists said it was all folklore. Then, scientists in South America discover that the Margay, a smaller felid, can actually mimic the sounds made by distressed baby monkeys in order to ambush worried adults. After this, scientists have been forced to admit that yes, tigers may do the same with deer after all.
Likewise, scientists still say that Giant Forest Hogs are peaceful vegetarians, and that there is "no evidence" that they attack villages and eat small children, like the natives claim. But the natives have lived alongside the hogs for ages, and the scientists on the other hand know practically nothing about them.
Who would you rather believe?

Scientists need to stop saying "impossible" and start realizing that truth is often more amazing than fiction.

Coriolanus

Adam Khor wrote: »

Scientists need to stop saying "impossible" and start realizing that truth is often more amazing than fiction.

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. -Clarke

Adam Khor

Nevore wrote: »

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. -Clarke

Great quote