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
Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard ("Uma inornata") is a species of phrynosomatid lizard. It is endemic to California. It is listed as an endangered species in California, a threatened species in the United States, and the IUCN classifies it as endangered. The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard is restricted to habitats with fine, windblown sand deposits in the sandy plains of the Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California. Since the 1970s, estimates of this species' habitat has decreased by about 75% due to human activities. The species is well adapted to its desert habitat. It has a wedged-shaped