Photo: National Park Service, Fossil Butte National Monument
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Varanidae
- Size
- Up to about six feet
The largest lizard from the FBM — a monitor with a long neck, powerful limbs, and a long balancing tail.
Living members of the Varanidae family include the largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon. They are found primarily in tropical rainforests and freshwater swamps. Most are strict carnivores, though some will feed on fruit.
S. ensidens is the largest lizard species from the FBM, with one specimen measuring six feet. Like living monitor lizards, it had a long neck and powerful limbs. It most likely used its strong legs and claws to climb. Its long tail would have been used for balance and defense.
Species text: National Park Service, Fossil Butte National Monument — Fossil Reptile Species.