Komodo dragon collision between Australia and Southeast Asia allowed these larger varanids to move back into what is now the Indonesian archipelago, extending their range as far east as the island of Timor. The Komodo dragon was believed to have differentiated from its Australian ancestors 4 million years ago. However, recent fossil evidence from Queensland suggests the Komodo dragon actually evolved in Australia before spreading to Indonesia. Dramatic lowering of sea level during the last glacial period uncovered extensive stretches of continental shelf that the Komodo dragon colonised, becoming isolated in their present island range as sea levels rose afterwards. Extinct Pliocene
Island night lizard islands and partnering between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Navy. The island night lizard's preferred habitat is coastal scrub made up of dense boxthorn and cacti thickets. Like other night lizards, the island night lizard bears live young rather than laying eggs. The island night lizard is much larger than another species in the genus "Xantusia", the desert night lizard ("Xantusia vigilis") of southern California. Island night lizards are typically between in length, not including the tail. They typically live between 11 and 13 years, but some individuals are estimated to have lived 30 years or