Megalania
Name: Megalania (Meg-Gah-Lane-Ea)
Meaning: “Ancient Great Roamer”
Megalania was a large reptile closely related to modern monitor lizards, specifically the Komodo Dragon of the Pacific Isles. This animal was the apex predator of prehistoric Australia during the Pleistocene Epoch, growing to 7 meters in length (23 feet). It was a carnivorous reptile, preying on mammals, reptiles, and other megafauna such as the large marsupial Diprotodon. Much like its descendant the Komodo Dragon, Megalania had a deadly bite that contained a powerful hemotoxin in its saliva and glands, causing its prey to endure immeasurable pain before dying. The earliest known remains of this great predator were dated to be 50,000 years old, meaning that the first indigenous settlers of Australia may have encounted these great beasts and may have been a factor in their extinction. Yet there are some Cryptozoologists that believe the Megalania may still be stalking in the rainforests and outbacks of Australia today.
Note: Usually I would post these during the month of June as part of my ongoing Jurassic June posts. Unfortunately I've haven't had much inspiration to do that. But I'm changing that now and starting to get back into the habit. So I'm gonna pretend that this is June and start Jurassic June month.