Jill's Pick from Around the World: Human-size lizard discovered in the Philippines
A Varanus bitatawa lizard on its home island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Photo credit: National Geographic
It has a double penis, is as long as a tall human, and lives in a heavily populated area of the Philippines. Yet somehow the giant lizard Varanus bitatawa has gone undetected by science until now. Long known to Filipino tribal hunters, the monitor lizard was identified as a new species in 2009 via its DNA, scale pattern, size, and peculiar penis, a new study says.
At about six and a half feet (two meters) long, the new lizard species is closely related to the world's largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon. Unlike the Komodo, though, Varanus bitatawa has evolved to be a vegetarian.
At about six and a half feet (two meters) long, the new lizard species is closely related to the world's largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon. Unlike the Komodo, though, Varanus bitatawa has evolved to be a vegetarian.
To view previous Jill's Pick from Around the World stories follow these links:
- 4/8/10: Toads predict earthquakes
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4/1/10: What a hyena's laugh tells
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3/12/10: Rare Black Penguin Sightings
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 4/15/2010 1:00 PM 
Categories: Jill's Pick from Around the World
Tags: Philippines Varanus bitatawa monitor lizard komodo dragon
Categories: Jill's Pick from Around the World
Tags: Philippines Varanus bitatawa monitor lizard komodo dragon
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