Kotonoh Monitor

The Kotonoh Monitor on a beach at Gili Rintang, Kotonoh, Sokoku.

The Kotonoh Monitor (Varenus Kotonoensis) is an extant member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Sokokan islands of Gili Rintang, AA, BB and CC. It is the largest extant species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 m (9.8 ft), and weighing up to 70 kg (150 lb). As a result of their size, Kotonoh Monitors are apex predators, and dominate the ecosystems in which they live. Kotonoh Monitors hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals. Their group behavior in hunting is exceptional in the reptile world. The diet mainly consists of Kotonoh rusa (Rusa smbarensis), though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion. They also occasionally attack humans.

Taxonomic histoy

Rumors of a "terrible dragon" or "living dinosaur" have been persistent all during the XX colonial period. The rumors were categorised as folklore, until a group of palaeontologists was directed to a pit with fossilised remains near Desa Huntang on the mainland of Kotonoh. According to local mythology, the last dragons of Kotonoh were captured here and lived out their lives in custody long before recorded history. The remains were categorised as an extinct species in 7575.

After the description was published, more rumors about sightings of the animal arrived at the XX colonial administration. In 7610 scientists in XX received a skin of the animal from the island of Gill Rintang, which was the main reason for organising and expedition to the island in 7612. With help of local scouts, living specimen of the Kotonoh Monitor were found. A second expedition in 7626 delivered 12 conserved specimen and 2 live ones, changing the status of the species from extinct to extant. It is generally accepted that several slightly different (sub)species have been present on Kotonoh and Tanah Ek, but that the introduction of humans around 10.000-15.000 years ago gradually led to the extinction of the large predator on the main islands, only resulting in niche populations surviving on small islands.

The XX authorities, realizing the small number of animals alive in the 7620's, immediately banned hunting or collecting specimen. Collecting expeditions ground to a halt with the occurrence of the First Coalition Wars, not resuming until the 7640s and 7650s, when studies examined the reptile's feeding behaviour, reproduction, and body temperature. Further studies on archaeological remains and mitochondrial DNA learned that the Kotonoh Monitor only has common ancestors among monitors living in D'Runia, with similar subspecies roaming the southern coast as late as 150,000 to 500,000 years ago.

Behaviour and ecology

The Kotonoh Monitor prefers hot and dry places and typically lives in dry, open grassland, savanna, and tropical forest at low elevations. As an ectotherm, it is most active in the day, although it exhibits some nocturnal activity. They are solitary, coming together only to breed and eat. They are capable of running rapidly in brief sprints up to 20 km/h (12 mph), diving up to 4.5 m (15 ft), and climbing trees proficiently when young through use of their strong claws. To catch out-of-reach prey, the Komodo dragon may stand on its hind legs and use its tail as a support. As it matures, its claws are used primarily as weapons, as its great size makes climbing impractical. The reptile stays in the shade during the hottest part of the day and hunts in the afternoon. The special resting places are usually located on ridges with cool sea breezes. They also serve as strategic locations from which to ambush deer. Kotonoh Monitors are apex predators. They are carnivores; although they have been considered as eating mostly carrion, they will frequently ambush live prey with a stealthy approach. When suitable prey arrives near an ambush site, it will suddenly charge at the animal at high speeds and go for the underside or the throat.

Attacks on humans are rare, but Komodo dragons have been responsible for several human fatalities, in both the wild and in captivity. They generally avoid encounters with humans. Juveniles are very shy and will flee quickly into a hideout if a human comes closer than about 100 metres (330 ft). Older animals will also retreat from humans from a shorter distance away. If cornered, they may react aggressively by gaping their mouth, hissing, and swinging their tail. If they are disturbed further, they may attack and bite. Volcanic activity, earthquakes, loss of habitat, fire, loss of prey due to poaching, and illegal poaching of the animals themselves have all contributed to the vulnerable status of the Kotonoh Monitor. In 7690, the total population of Kotonoh Monitors in the wild was assessed as around 5,000 individuals.