Exploring the Megalania: The Giant Lizard That Once Stalked Humans

Could dragons from myths and legends really have existed? Evidence suggests that enormous lizards once prowled the earth, striking fear into the hearts of early human populations. Dive into the megalania mystery and decide if the legends hold a kernel of truth.

Legends and Lore

Across the remote deserts and forests of Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region, Indigenous stories recount encounters with snake-like beasts that towered over humans. Cave paintings from the Kimberley to Panaramitee trackways depict reptiles larger than a man, hinting at a deep history of shared habitat. Dating such art is challenging—most of these paintings are estimated at less than 10,000 years old—and precise radiocarbon analysis is often complicated by conservation concerns. Yet the repeated motif of a “big bad goanna” suggests a persistent cultural memory of giant monitor lizards that may have lingered into recent prehistory.

The Megalania Mystique

Among these legendary beasts, the megalania (Megalania prisca) stands out. Fossil evidence from sites such as Darling Downs in Queensland suggests it measured up to 23 feet long and may have weighed nearly a ton, making it the largest terrestrial lizard ever known. As a member of the monitor lizard family, modern-day relatives range from six-inch dwarf species to 10-foot Komodo dragons. Megalania’s robust limb bones and vertebrae reveal a powerful ambush predator that ruled Pleistocene Australia until about 40,000 years ago. Aboriginal oral histories, as recorded by Peter Hancock, even describe giant lizards capable of dragging prey ashore and battling sharks in coastal waters.

The Ongoing Search

Cryptozoologist Rex Gilroy has devoted decades to tracing megalania’s modern footprint. His research spans anecdotal reports of 1890 farm raids in Euroa, Victoria—where livestock were found slaughtered—and first-hand interviews with Indigenous witnesses in Central Australia. Scouts in the Wami Forest claimed to sit on a “log” that abruptly walked away, later identified as a 22-foot lizard. Despite skeptics demanding physical carcasses or genetic samples, Gilroy argues that dense, inaccessible terrain could conceal small remnant populations. He warns, however, that mainstream paleontology requires robust evidence before rewriting extinction timelines.

The Evidence Trail

Rex Gilroy’s most striking assertions come from two track casts. The first, dubbed the Maruia print, was cast in 1979 following a farmer’s report of a 20-foot gray lizard. The second appeared in 2007, some 185 miles away, with identical dimensions—12 inches across and bearing sharply pointed claw marks. Gilroy believes these casts link modern tracks to prehistoric giants, providing a tangible trail of evidence that still eludes conventional science.

The Hunt in Indonesia

Just north of Australia, Indonesia’s Komodo dragons hint at what megalania might have been. The largest lizard on Earth, Varanus komodoensis, can reach 10 feet and weigh over 350 pounds. Retired biologist Trooper Walsh emphasizes their power: “A Komodo dragon can just rip your arm off,” he warns, noting the animal’s toxic saliva and rapid ambush tactics. On Ringer Island, researchers like Ahmed Arafiendi deploy camera traps and bait—often hanging goat carcasses—to lure out the biggest males. Though average dragons measure eight feet, occasional specimens stretch past nine feet, underscoring the potential for size mutation over generations.

Discovering the Unknown

Expeditions in both Australia and Indonesia highlight the logistical hurdles of shadowing apex predators. In Australia’s Wami National Forest, researchers use red LED night-vision lights—visible to humans but invisible to most mammals—to scan for giant lizards at night. Bait stations and motion-triggered cameras await the next imprint. In Indonesia, teams brave dense forest habitat on Komodo Island, following deer trails and inspecting termite mounds, which may serve as nesting sites for large monitor lizards. The thrill of possibly photographing a living relic drives explorers to return season after season, undeterred by false leads or raven raids on bait.

Scientific Skepticism and Extinction Timing

Not all experts accept the megalania revival theory. John Long of the Melbourne Museum argues that absence of carcasses or abundant remains indicates extinction roughly 40,000 years ago. “You need a large population of them to be breeding, and we’d certainly find dead ones,” he contends.[verify] Radiometric dating of fossils and cave deposits supports this view, and no verifiable tissue samples have surfaced. Skeptics also note that sustaining even a small breeding group would require reliable food sources and suitable nesting sites, both of which have been extensively surveyed without conclusive signs of a living giant lizard.

Conclusion

What lurks in the shadows of Australia’s forests and the islands of Indonesia? While mainstream science maintains that megalania is a creature of the past, cryptozoologists like Rex Gilroy persist in their hunt for modern proof. From eerie cave paintings to fresh track casts, the evidence trail is tantalizing yet inconclusive. Yet the lure of discovering a living link to prehistory continues to captivate researchers and amateur adventurers alike.

• Learn more about the scientific methods used to date fossils and analyze track casts before drawing conclusions about megalania’s survival.