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Varanus Priscus
| Scientific Classification |
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Varanus priscus
(almost always known as "Megalania", although this
is not the correct scientific name - see below)
was a giant monitor lizard that
lived in Australia,
between about 1.6 million and 40,000 years ago. It may well have been encountered
by early aboriginal people when they first arrived in
Australia.
No complete
fossil skeletons of
Megalania have yet been found, so there is still considerable debate about the animal's size.
Some estimates say the largest individuals could have been 23 feet (7 meters) long,
whereas others put an upper limit of around 15 feet (4.5 meters).
In any case, Megalania is the largest terrestrial lizard known,
and probably fed on animals such
Diprotodon.
The name "Megalania" was chosen by
Sir Richard Owen
in 1859, he called the species "Megalania prisca" which means
"ancient great roamer". However today, "Megalania" is considered
to be a synonym for "Varanus" (the genus containing monitor lizards),
and because "Varanus" was coined first, this name takes priority.
Additionally, since "Varanus" is masculine, whereas "Megalania"
is femine, the word "prisca" needs to change to "priscus", and thus
the correct name of the species is "Varanus priscus".
Although Megalania is generally considered to be extinct,
some cryptozoologists (people who search for rumored animals
whose existence is uncertain), claim that it is possible that
there might be a small surviving population in the wilderness
areas of New Guinea or
Australia.
Varanus Priscus Timeline:
Varanus priscus were giant monitor lizards that lived in Australia between 1.6 million and 40,000 years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Megalania Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
By Ralph E. Molnar
Indiana University Press
Released: March 30th, 2004
Hardcover (224 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $35.00*
In Stock.*
*(As of 16:35 Pacific 14 Aug 2022 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Dragons in the Dust: The Paleobiology of the Giant Monitor Lizard Megalania- Manufacturer: Indiana University Press
- Brand: Indiana University Press
- ISBN: 0253343747
- EAN: 9780253343741
- PartNumber: Illustrated
Details:- Hardcover
- Formats: Download: Adobe Reader, Illustrated
- Edition: Illustrated
- Number of Pages: 224
- Author: Ralph E. Molnar
- Publication Date: March 30th, 2004
- Release Date: March 30th, 2004
Physical Description:- Size: 10.0 Inches by 7.0 Inches by 0.75 Inches
- Weight: 1.49032489112 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Travis Kerr
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Released: April 10th, 2014
Paperback (516 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $14.99*
In Stock.*
*(As of 16:35 Pacific 14 Aug 2022 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Megalania- Manufacturer: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- ISBN: 1533066493
- EAN: 9781533066497
Details:- Paperback
- Edition: 2
- Number of Pages: 516
- Author: Travis Kerr
- Publication Date: April 10th, 2014
- Release Date: April 10th, 2014
Physical Description:- Size: 8.0 Inches by 5.0 Inches by 1.29 Inches
Click here for more information |
|
By Robert Forrester
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Released: January 18th, 2015
Paperback (266 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $12.99*
In Stock.*
*(As of 16:35 Pacific 14 Aug 2022 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Megalania (Vile Beasts Series)- Manufacturer: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Brand: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
- ISBN: 1507598173
- EAN: 9781507598177
- PartNumber: black & white illustrations
Details:- Paperback
- Edition: 1
- Number of Pages: 266
- Author: Robert Forrester
- Publication Date: January 18th, 2015
- Release Date: January 18th, 2015
Physical Description:- Size: 8.0 Inches by 5.0 Inches by 0.56 Inches
- Weight: 0.59 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Stephen Charles
Independent
Kindle Edition (207 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $9.09*
Available for download now.*
*(As of 16:35 Pacific 14 Aug 2022 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Megalania- Manufacturer: Independent
Details:- Kindle Edition
- Format: Kindle eBook
- Number of Pages: 207
- Author: Stephen Charles
Click here for more information |
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By Nigel Clayton
Zuytdorp Press
Released: September 16th, 2020
Paperback (220 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $9.99*
Available to ship in 1-2 days.*
*(As of 16:35 Pacific 14 Aug 2022 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Dreamtime: An Aboriginal Odyssey- Manufacturer: Zuytdorp Press
- Brand: Zuytdorp Press
- ISBN: 0648767280
- EAN: 9780648767282
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 220
- Author: Nigel Clayton
- Publication Date: September 16th, 2020
- Release Date: September 16th, 2020
Physical Description:- Size: 8.5 Inches by 5.5 Inches by 0.5 Inches
- Weight: 0.63052206932 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Kristie Clark
Delphi Imprint, LLC
Released: September 14th, 2021
Paperback (332 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $19.79*
In Stock.*
*(As of 16:35 Pacific 14 Aug 2022 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Dragon Clan- Manufacturer: Delphi Imprint, LLC
- ISBN: 1954442068
- EAN: 9781954442061
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 332
- Author: Kristie Clark
- Publication Date: September 14th, 2021
- Release Date: September 14th, 2021
Physical Description:- Size: 9.0 Inches by 6.0 Inches by 0.74 Inches
Click here for more information |
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