One of the most mysterious and unique reptiles in the world, found only on the island of Borneo in Indonesia and Malaysia. At first glance, it doesn’t look quite like a modern lizard at all—it has a long, low body covered in armored, bead-like scales, tiny, short legs, and a strong tail that can whip side to side. Its eyes are small, its head is flattened, and as its name suggests, it has no visible external ears, giving it a primitive, almost prehistoric look. It is not especially large, but its odd appearance and secretive habits have earned it the nickname “the living fossil.”

What makes the Earless monitor lizard especially distinct is how it looks and how different it is from other lizards alive today. It is the only species in its genus and family, making it truly one of a kind. While it shares some traits with monitor lizards (like forked tongues and a partially flexible jaw), it also has unique features. For example, its teeth are sharp and curved backward for gripping prey, its skin is covered in square, keeled scales that look like armor plating, and its body is more eel-like, allowing it to swim through streams and burrow into muddy banks.

Despite its armored look, it is not dangerous to humans—its bite is strong but not venomous. Because of its rarity and strange appearance, it has become a prized (and sadly, often smuggled) species in the illegal pet trade, though it is protected under law. Locals sometimes call it a “dragon in the mud” because of its armored scales and secretive, riverbank-dwelling habits.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Indonesia

2019

Kalimantan

Malaysia

2019

Sarawak