Megalania
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Megalania (Varanus prisca) was an extinct giant monitor lizard. It was one of the megafauna that roamed southern Australia, and appears to have become extinct around 40,000 years ago. Once thought to belong to a distinct genus called Megalania prisca (which means “ancient giant butcher”), it is now recognized as a species in the genus Varanus, which encompases all monitor lizards. The first aboriginal settlers of Australia may have encountered living Megalania.
Size of the Megalania
Megalania was a giant lizard, reaching lengths of 5 to 6 metres (about 17 to 20 feet). Megalania was the largest terrestrial lizard that ever lived, and was a fearsome predator, with heavily built limbs and body and a solid skull full of short blade-teeth. Due to its size and similarities to the Komodo Dragon, a relationship between the two species has been suggested. In reality however Megalania's closest relative is the perentie, Australia's largest extant lizard.Live Megalania
There have been reports and rumors of living Megalania in Australia, and occasionally New Guinea, as recently as the 1970s. Australian cryptozoologist Rex Gilroy has stated that Megalania is still alive today, and it is only a matter of time until one comes in. Aside from stories, the only evidence that Megalania might still be alive today is a cast of a possible Megalania footprint that Gilroy made in 1979. An outsized monitor lizard had walked across a plowed field. It is plausible, as many kinds of animals that have died out or are much less common elsewhere (monotremes, marsupials, etc.) thrive in Australia. However, there have been no serious studies taken to determine whether the Megalania is alive today, and it is still considered to be extinct.External link
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