Varanus priscus


Learn more about Megalania 

  • The world's largest land dwelling lizard.
  • Lived 500,000 — 40,000 years ago.
  • Extinct gigantic monitor lizard growing up to 6 metres long.
  • Teeth, jaws and skull adapted for gripping and ripping flesh.
  • Meat eater, both predator and scavenger.
  • Possibly had venomous saliva which acted as an anticoagulant.

Fossils of Megalania have been found throughout central and eastern Australia, as far south as Naracoorte Caves, South Australia.

Silhouettes of a man and a large reptile
Reconstruction of the giant goanna Megalania, Varanus priscus. Image: Queensland Museum, Vlad Konstantinov, Andrey Atuchin & Scott Hocknull.

Varanus priscus (Megalania) | Project DIG

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Project DIG was a partnership between Queensland Museum, BHP and BMA to transform how we store, explore and share our collections and research with communities worldwide.

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