Facts about Varanus Priscus, an extinct prehistoric animal

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Dinosaur Jungle   >   Other Prehistoric Animals   >   Varanus Priscus

Varanus Priscus



Scientific Classification
  Kingdom Animalia
  Phylum Chordata
  Class Sauropsida
  Order Squamata
  Suborder Scleroglossa
  Infraorder Platynota
  Superfamily Varanoidea
  Family Varanidae
  Order Varanus
  Species Varanus priscus
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

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:

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Dragons in the Dust: The Paleobiology of the Giant Monitor Lizard Megalania
By Ralph E. Molnar

Indiana University Press
Released: March 30th, 2004
Hardcover (224 pages)

Dragons in the Dust: The Paleobiology of the Giant Monitor Lizard Megalania
List Price: $35.00*
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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
  • Format: Download: Adobe Reader
  • Edition: First Edition
  • Number of Pages: 224
  • Author: Ralph E. Molnar
  • Publication Date: March 30th, 2004
  • Release Date: March 30th, 2004
Physical Description:
  • Size: 10.1 inches by 7.3 inches by 0.9 inches
  • Weight: 1.4991433816 pounds
Click here for more information
Megalania
By Stephen Charles

Independently published
Released: March 26th, 2022
Paperback (205 pages)

Megalania
Lowest New Price: $11.08*
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Description:
Megalania
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798440068384
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 205
  • Author: Stephen Charles
  • Publication Date: March 26th, 2022
  • Release Date: March 26th, 2022
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 Inches by 0.47 inches
Click here for more information
Megalania
By Travis Kerr

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Released: April 10th, 2014
Paperback (516 pages)

Megalania
Lowest New Price: $14.99*
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Description:
Megalania
  • Manufacturer: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • ISBN: 1533066493
  • EAN: 9781533066497
Details:
  • Paperback
  • 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
Rocky & Rosie and the Megalania: An adventure to the Australian Ice Age
By Ruairi Roo

Independently published
Released: September 21st, 2024
Paperback (26 pages)

Rocky & Rosie and the Megalania: An adventure to the Australian Ice Age
Lowest New Price: $13.30*
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Description:
Rocky & Rosie and the Megalania: An adventure to the Australian Ice Age
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798339951766
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 26
  • Author: Ruairi Roo
  • Publication Date: September 21st, 2024
  • Release Date: September 21st, 2024
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.25 inches by 8.25 inches by 0.07 inches
Click here for more information
Megalania (Vile Beasts Series)
By Robert Forrester

CREATESPACE
Released: January 18th, 2015
Paperback (266 pages)

Megalania (Vile Beasts Series)
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Description:
Megalania (Vile Beasts Series)
  • Manufacturer: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Brand: CREATESPACE
  • ISBN: 1507598173
  • EAN: 9781507598177
  • PartNumber: black & white illustrations
Details:
  • Paperback
  • 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 0.6 inches
  • Weight: 0.59083886216 Pounds
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Giant Ripper Lizard (Blazers: Extinct Monsters)
By Carol K. Lindeen

Brand: Capstone Press
Released: September 1st, 2007
Library Binding (32 pages)

Giant Ripper Lizard (Blazers: Extinct Monsters)
List Price: $26.65*
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Description:
Giant Ripper Lizard (Blazers: Extinct Monsters)
  • Manufacturer: Blazers
  • Brand: Brand: Capstone Press
  • ISBN: 1429601159
  • EAN: 9781429601153
Details:
  • Product Category: Library Binding
  • Number of Pages: 32
  • Author: Carol K. Lindeen
  • Publication Date: September 1st, 2007
  • Release Date: September 1st, 2007
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.25 inches by 7.0 inches by 0.25 inches
  • Weight: 0.54 Pounds
Features:
  • Used Book in Good Condition
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End Of The Megafauna: The Fate Of The World's Top Animals In Australia
By Arnold Alverez

Independently published
Released: January 6th, 2022
Paperback (41 pages)

End Of The Megafauna: The Fate Of The World s Top Animals In Australia
Lowest New Price: $9.99*
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Description:
End Of The Megafauna: The Fate Of The World's Top Animals In Australia
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798796729199
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 41
  • Author: Arnold Alverez
  • Publication Date: January 6th, 2022
  • Release Date: January 6th, 2022
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.11 inches
Click here for more information
50 Dinosaur Tales: And 108 More Discoveries From the Golden Age of Dinos
By Sabrina Ricci

Digital Pubbing
Released: October 7th, 2019
Paperback (401 pages)

50 Dinosaur Tales: And 108 More Discoveries From the Golden Age of Dinos
Lowest New Price: $15.99*
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Description:
50 Dinosaur Tales: And 108 More Discoveries From the Golden Age of Dinos
  • Manufacturer: Digital Pubbing
  • Brand: Digital Pubbing
  • ISBN: 1622000307
  • EAN: 9781622000302
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 401
  • Author: Sabrina Ricci
  • Publication Date: October 7th, 2019
  • Release Date: October 7th, 2019
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 1.01 inches
  • Weight: 1.2897042327 Pounds
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IMMUNITY
By STEPHEN DEDMAN

Megalania Books
Kindle Edition (267 pages)

IMMUNITY
Lowest New Price: $2.99*
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Description:
IMMUNITY
  • Manufacturer: Megalania Books
Details:
  • Kindle Edition
  • Format: Kindle eBook
  • Number of Pages: 267
  • Authors: STEPHEN DEDMAN, Stephen Dedman
Click here for more information
Sascha Martin's Time Machine: A Kids' Scifi Adventure That Will Have You in Stitches. It's Funny, Too (Sascha Martin's Misadventures)
By John Arthur Nichol

John Arthur Nichol
Released: December 2nd, 2019
Paperback (60 pages)

Sascha Martin s Time Machine: A Kids  Scifi Adventure That Will Have You in Stitches. It s Funny, Too (Sascha Martin s Misadventures)
List Price: $12.99*
Lowest New Price: $8.68*
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Description:
Sascha Martin's Time Machine: A Kids' Scifi Adventure That Will Have You in Stitches. It's Funny, Too (Sascha Martin's Misadventures)
  • Manufacturer: John Arthur Nichol
  • Brand: John Arthur Nichol
  • ISBN: 0995418357
  • EAN: 9780995418356
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 60
  • Author: John Arthur Nichol
  • Publication Date: December 2nd, 2019
  • Release Date: December 2nd, 2019
Physical Description:
  • Size: 10.0 inches by 8.0 inches by 0.16 inches
  • Weight: 0.4 Pounds
Click here for more information
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