All articles tagged with #lanthanotus borneensis
In Borneo's forests, the earless monitor lizard—nicknamed the 'mini-dragon' and Lanthanotus borneensis—is a rare, nocturnal living fossil and the sole survivor of its family. Endangered by deforestation and illegal wildlife trade, it remains elusive to researchers, but new findings are fueling conservation efforts and insights into reptile evolution.
In Borneo’s rainforests, the earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) — a rare 'living fossil' dating back about 66 million years — moves through shadows with no external ears, rough camouflage scales, and a prehensile tail. It is elusive and nocturnal, feeding on earthworms, small crabs, and fish, and scientists warn that habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trade threaten its survival as the sole living member of its family.