Australia is famous for its many dangerous animals today, but in the past, it was much scarier. Australia was once home to many strange and giant animals, including:
1. **Quin Kan**: This is a giant land-dwelling crocodile. It is about 10 feet (3 meters) long and weighs about 440 pounds (200 kg), with the ability to grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) long in large individuals. The Quin Kan has razor-sharp teeth, designed to tear flesh from its prey. With its ability to move quickly on land, it can attack large animals, including humans.
2. **Megalania**: This was a giant lizard, at least 11 feet (3.5 meters) long and weighing about 348 pounds (158 kg). Some individuals could reach 26 feet (7.9 meters) long and weigh up to 2 tons. Megalania may have been venomous like modern monitor lizards, with sharp teeth and powerful claws. It used a combination of teeth, claws, and climbing ability to attack its prey.
3. **Wonambi**: This was a giant snake about 20 feet (6 meters) long, belonging to the matso snake family. Wonambi was not venomous but was still a fearsome predator. It hunted by constricting its prey, using its powerful body to suffocate its prey, then tearing it apart if necessary.
4. **Diodon**: This was a giant marsupial, weighing up to 3.85 tons, equivalent to the weight of an adult Asian elephant. Diodon had a powerful bite, enough to break a human femur. Although it was a herbivore, Diodon still had a powerful bite and high resistance.
5. **Gorii**: This was a giant bird that stood over 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall and weighed about a quarter of a ton. Gorii had strong, heavy bones, which helped it defend itself by using its beak and claws to fight off predators.
Although Australia today seems less dangerous than it was in the past, it still retains many strange animals and a harsh ecosystem. Australia’s giant and dangerous fauna in the past made it a challenging land for the creatures that lived there.
