Komodo dragon Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon ("Varanus komodoensis"), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar. A member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae, it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of in rare cases and weighing up to approximately . Their unusually large size has been attributed to island gigantism, since no other carnivorous animals fill the niche on the islands where they live. However, recent research suggests the large size of Komodo dragons may be better understood
California rock lizard California rock lizard The California rock lizards are a genus (Petrosaurus) of New World lizards in the family Phrynosomatidae. They are endemic to southern California and Baja California, Mexico. This type of lizard lives almost exclusively on rock outcrops, boulder piles, and canyon walls, where it shelters under rocks. The habitat is arid and semiarid foothills and canyons along the western margin of the Colorado Desert. The courtship begins shortly after emergence in early spring. The eggs are laid around June and July. The few predators that could pursue this lizard are collared lizards and avian predators, such as hawks,