naracoorte caves national park

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Naracoorte Caves National Park

Megalania prisca

Class: Reptilia
Subclass: Lepidosauria
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus & species: Megalania prisca

Model of Megalania prisca

The name Megalania prisca means the "ancient giant butcher", and this may certainly have been a fitting description for this large meat eater.

Megalania belonged to the family that includes the goannas, or monitor lizards, the largest of which today is the Komodo Dragon found in Indonesia.

Skeleton of Megalania prisca

Fossils of Megalania are comparatively rare. No complete skeleton has ever been found.

However several partial skeletons and other elements have allowed scientists to determine the size and structure of the animal. 

Fossil jaw of Megalania prisca, showing recurved, scimitar-like teeth

The large skull was equipped with numerous recurved, scimitar-like teeth.

The skeleton suggests Megalania was a very sturdily built animal, much more bulky than the Komodo Dragon and probably at least one third longer (4 to 5 metres).

Size comparison of humerus (arm) bones of Megalania (on left) and the Goanna Varanus rosenbergi (on right)

Like its modern counterparts Megalania probably scavenged from dead animals, but would have also been able to hunt and kill quite large prey.

Komodo Dragons hunt by ambush and have been known to kill deer, buffalo and even people.

Vertebra of Megalania prisca,compared to one of a lizard

Whether Megalania killed Diprotodon , the largest of the megafauna is a matter of speculation; however, it was probably capable of doing so.

It would also have competed for prey with other large carnivores such as the Marsupial Lion, Thylacoleo carnifex.

The fossil record indicates that the geographic range of Megalania was quite broad including sites in Queensland, central Australia and New South Wales.

Until recently this animal was not thought to have inhabited the southern part of the continent. However a fossil found at Naracoorte in 2000 extends its range much further.