Featured

Monitor Lizard Species

Meet the Million-Year-Old Lizard Species We Didn't Know Existed Until NowCredit: Valter Weijola

Mussau Island is one of the northernmost islands in Papua New Guinea. Not many animals make it out there, including biologists. That’s why this meter-long monitor lizard has been stalking the island for at least a million years before anyone knew it existed.

Pacific islands are notoriously low on mammals, and those mammals that do live there tend to be small and unobtrusive. These animals pluck the grass, dig in the earth, and lure biologists, like the scientists from University of Turku, Finland, who spent 2012 scrambling around Mussau Island. Mussau has a vast amount of animals that have yet to be cataloged, so the scientists were expecting to find something—just not a meter-long lizard. They of the animal in Zookeys.

The lizard lives in the dry coastal forests on the edges of Mussau. Juveniles are elusive, but as an adult the lizard is clearly unconcerned with standing out. It has a black body, bright yellow dot-like markings, a blue tail, and a pale yellow tongue. It’s a monitor lizard, the same family of lizards that include the famous Komodo dragon.

“What are you looking at? Keep moving.” Credit: Valter Weijola, Zookeys

Meet the Million-Year-Old Lizard Species We Didn't Know Existed Until NowThis lizard, now called Varanus semotus, is less of a threat to humans than the dragon. It wanders the island eating crabs, other reptiles, small birds, and eggs. It’s likely that the juveniles eat insects and perhaps vegetation. Monitors will eat what they can get.

The researchers don’t know how this particular lizard ended up on Mussau, but they know it happened a long time ago. Genetic studies show that it’s lived in isolation from its fellow monitors for between one and two million years. During that time it’s been the island’s largest land-living predator.

Unfortunately, now it has competition. Though the scientists expect that the monitor lives in the intact forests in the interior of the island, they suspect it can’t survive in deforested habitat. And they’re worried about how it will deal with recently-arrived cane toads. With luck, we’ll be seeing more of this predator, not less.

what are the benefits of smoothies what is the difference between zits and pimples what is the definition of anti semitism what is the name of the set of features that improve the visual appearance of windows who qualifies for disability benefits in california how to improve bike performance How to plant potatoes from eyes? what is adoption definition What is the real meaning behind easter? how to improve wii graphics how to improve elasticity What does amortized mean? how did the pony express improve communication in america what is the definition of an operon How to get 800 credit score? Tips of fingers tingling when cold? What does the bible say about mediums? How to blanch green beans? How much is it to rent a car? what is erroneous written advice what is the definition of chloroplast which of the following is the best definition for adjective? how to teach time management skills to adults What is the meaning of analogies? How to use cake piping tips? As is where is condition meaning? whose cooking advice always said may it stay off you hips What does sissy mean? how do i delete secret benefits how to stop getting unemployment benefits What are study designs? what is the definition of a battery what is the definition of direct characterization What does the end of catcher in the rye mean? what knowledge and skills do you need to become a travel nurse? what is the difference between iodized salt and non-iodized salt what is the difference between cochlear implants and hearing aids what is the difference between a hard and soft quota? what are the benefits of student loan consolidation which of these is a true statement regarding survivor benefits under a qualified retirement plan? what does an aflac benefits specialist do Mid-ocean ridges are places where tectonic plates are doing what? How to clean an oven? How i learned to love the bomb? What is the meaning of essential? What does fungible mean? where do i find browser helper windows 10 how to improve articulation what is a good forum to ask sexual advice about How to stop overthinking? What episode does luffy get his scar? How long to microwave ramen? How to play split screen fortnite? what is a difference between payroll and income taxes quizlet how to improve the fuel efficiency of car What is the meaning of favour? what cognitive skills are used in math problem solving How to get more energy? what is the difference between fixed and variable expenses how much is indiana unemployment benefits How to solve analogies tips? oblivion how to change major skills What does lrt mean? What is an aneurysm? what is a credit union definition when asked for advice on how to deal with grief, the old man said What does exclamation mark meaning? How much do i need to retire? what is a reflective essay definition What time does the grizzlies play tonight? What tips, tricks, or study techniques worked well for you for the midtermexam? What does pestilence mean? what is an evidentiary hearing definition What is rem sleep? what are the benefits of a tabata workout What does cocaine do to your brain? how to develop independent learning skills What is charlie sheen doing now? what are some benefits of physical education What is the meaning of different colored roses? how to improve my sat score why does boss helper revamped keep crashing what skills fall under thief skyrim What is the meaning of divine providence? what are the benefits of good collaboration with your customers How to do super cool magic tricks? what is the definition of a isosceles trapezoid How to get rid of warts? how can parenting skills affect brain development what skills you owuld bering to a company What does xo mean? how to install barryvdh php netbeans ide helper laravel what is the definition of promotion How to get a boyfriend tips? How long does it take for your stomach to empty? Porn comic where brother tricks sister into seeing his dick? How to buy series i bonds? 10 tips on how to manage compassion fatigue? What does another one bites the dust mean? what is personification kid friendly definition how to remove history from insight web helper What is the true meaning of karma? Tips and tricks on how to do eyelash extensions? How much tips for valet parking chicago? what are the benefits of a travel nurse tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership skills. what are the skills needed for medical social work? how can i improve my self esteem advice from the bible how to be on time What does pancreas mean? advice to tell people when they won't turn the page because they have hurt your loved one please take this as what is: advice what is the difference between form 1095a and 1095 b what are prime numbers simple definition How to record a phone call on android? how to get steam inventory helper what is the definition of harassment at work why does weight training improve muscular strength more than cardiorespiratory fitness quizlet how to get a helper in papa's donuteria how do i change my address for social security benefits What does a red cone shaped buoy mark? ups driver helper how long is background check site:www.browncafe.com what are sensorimotor skills what benefits do avocados have what is the difference between prime and prime pro That government is best which governs least meaning? What are the symptoms of leukemia? what is a homophobia definition how to improve teenage self esteem What is the meaning of international womens day? what is the legal definition of desertion what is the main ides of grandmother gives me some advice how to get out of giving advice How to get rid of scabies? what are the skills of active listening what is the definition of a dilf recognizing the benefits of diversity: when and how does diversity increase group performance? where is skills section of alexa app what is the difference between a fissure and a fistula How can i get tricks for doodles? how wrap advice might how to improve elden ring fps What does telemetry mean? what is payroll benefits What does el chapo mean? how can i improve short term memory diablo 3 how much damage do skills do what are the benefits of sd-wan What are the nouns in the sentence? How to put tips on twitter? how to get kangaroo skills in forza horizon 4 How long to cook burgers in air fryer? why is it harder for an older person to listen to a young person's advice What is the meaning of summons? What is the meaning of xd in text message? What does intrigued mean? What does moq mean? what is legal advice that a lawyer provides to a person or organization? Which best describes the meaning of the term theorem? what is the primary difference between 3g and 4g cellular systems? What does picante mean? what is the difference between effecting and affecting what skills do actors need what is the difference between the bones of the cranium and the facial bones? what is terse definition how to be a good helper How to open paint can? consultant how to get good credit christina advice How do you size rod tips? How to stop dry cough? How to say hi in sign language? What is wholesale? Why can't i see my tips on postmates? What does srs mean in a car? What is waterfall force in card tricks? what benefits do teachers get in california Who tips more doordash or ubereats? what are the benefits of code switching Name for the people who do football tricks? what does a trash route helper do what is the definition for “cadence”? What sound does an alligator make? What causes the tips of cannabis leaves to curl up? What does jit mean? What is an anthology? What channel are the olympics on direct tv? what is the difference between rubicon and sahara What are intermolecular forces? Tips on how to build self esteem? Tips when providing more details about your skills in job applications? why are you so good at giving advice meme cat who to go tonfor career advice after 25 years old Tips on how to stop crying at wedding? single moms' women who need legal advice What does nike mean? The man who revealed how magic tricks work? Cool sparkler tricks how to? What does a fractured wrist look like? what are the benefits of hemp oil for dogs what is the definition of energy quizlet how to improve short term memory jogging benefits which area of health related fitness How do you do sword tricks? How to use vanilla gift card online? How to make croutons? What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? What does fea mean? How to turn tips on uber? aggregate unemployment insurance benefits how delays what is the difference between their and there how to use weapon skills dark souls 3 What does dog vision look like? advice on how to behave around girl i like that knows i like her at work How to start a fire in a fireplace? how to improve neck lines What are tumor markers? what are the benefits of eating hot peppers what is emr computer skills what are the benefits of white pine needle tea Tips on how to deal with the va? How to copy on keyboard? advice how-to ideas mom influencers What do they do with the hats from hat tricks? how to convert shn files with traders little helper what advice would you give the president today that would help america plan for the future and why What does high ferritin mean? How much does it cost to lift a truck? What is my nationality? What kind of build should i use for vape tricks? How to catch a ditto in pokemon go? How to stop cough? What is the meaning of tip? What does mc mean in astrology? which of the following is a key difference between collaboration and cooperation? How to peel eggs easily? what is the definition of a parent rock ubs+why do taxes show on advice of exercise but not on 1099 How much does an average stripper make per year in tips? What does antioxidant mean? what benefits do orthodontists get How to caramelize sugar? What does arrears mean? What does sancho mean? How card magic tricks work? What is the meaning of bts army? how to improve macbook pro camera quality what advice does tom give ma what is helper apps How to delete offerup account? How to become a copywriter? What does the red dot on tinder mean? compound interest most benefits investors who are ___. How to beat 2048? what is the difference between limited government and unlimited government how do i figure the taxable amount of my social security benefits? how to improve foreign language listening skills the most important advice to get when planning to start a new business is _____. What is the meaning of apis? what does the skills mean in monster hunter world how to remove internet helper 3.1 toolbar How long does it take to create a habit? What dies gaslighting mean? error when trying to play game from usb helper Fanfic where iruka tricks naruto bo break his average during kunai training? an employee with a low level of social skills would be unlikely to do which of the following? What does alas mean? advice when someone is sad
Source: gizmodo.com
RELATED VIDEO
Monitor lizard is the common name of several large lizard
Monitor lizard is the common name of several large lizard ...
Bee-Eater vs Monitor Lizard.
Bee-Eater vs Monitor Lizard.
Large Wild Monitor Lizard in Florida Backyard
Large Wild Monitor Lizard in Florida Backyard
RELATED FACTS
Share this Post

Related posts

Colorful lizard

Colorful lizard

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

A very large species of chameleon that is endemic to forests in eastern and northern Madagascar. They reach up to 68 cm (27…

Read More
Monitor lizard sale

Monitor lizard sale

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

IMAGE: On the Philippine black market, undercover KU researchers found this monitor lizard for sale as an exotic pet - so…

Read More
latest posts
popular posts