The Borneo earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis) is a real, established lizard species native to Borneo—not a newly discovered “living fossil.” Its name refers to the lack of an external ear opening; that feature alone does not show whether it can hear. The IUCN Red List account classifies the species as Endangered, based on an assessment last conducted in 2019.
What is the Borneo earless monitor?
Lanthanotus borneensis is a distinctive lizard endemic to Borneo. It is the sole living species in its family, Lanthanotidae, and is sometimes described in popular coverage as a “living fossil.” That phrase is a catchy label, not evidence that the species is unchanged over time or that scientists have just found it. The IUCN has an established species account for it, last assessed in 2019. IUCN Red List account
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Where does it live?
The IUCN account places the species in lowland northwestern Borneo, especially lowland rainforest near streams. It describes the lizards as cryptic and nocturnal. According to that account, they shelter in places such as soil burrows, riverbank areas, rocks, and rotting logs, then forage on land and in water at night. These habitat and behavior details are reported in the Red List account; they should not be taken as a complete record of behavior across every part of the species’ range. IUCN Red List account
Does “earless” mean it cannot hear?
No conclusion about hearing follows from the name alone. The cited source concerns external morphology: the lizard lacks an external ear opening. That does not establish that it is deaf, and the available evidence here does not answer how well it hears.
#1 Best Overall
- Safety Material - Our Monitor Lizard Was Made of High Quality Durable Abs Plastic, Non-toxic Paint and Odorless. All by Safety Materials for Kids.
- Realistic Appearance - Our Play Animal Figurines Was Made By Hand Painted With High Realistically Detailed Appearance, Cute Face And Childish Eyes. Their Uniquely Molded Textures And Richly Painted Details Make The Animals Vivid.
- Early Educational Toys - These Plastic Animal Playset Are Great For Education Purposes. It Will Help To Improve Children's Concentration And Outsight, Develop And Train Their Imagination And Creativity.
- Perfect Fits - These Animal Toy Playset Are Great for Christmas, Baby Shower, Birthday Cake Topper, Science Project. Holidays, Birthday Party Games, Party Decoration, Party Favors or Rewards and Jungle Animals World Themed.
- Great Gift for Kids Age 3 and Up - These Animal Set Are an Awesome Birthday Gift or Prize for Kids and Great Action Figures to Play with and Also Look Great As Kid's Room Decoration. They Are Worth to Be Collected, Decorating Children's Bookcase and Desk.
What is known about its activity?
Wild behavior
The IUCN account describes the species as nocturnal, with nighttime foraging on land and in water. Because it is cryptic, observations can be difficult; the account’s description is the best-supported summary here, not proof that every individual follows the same schedule.
Captive observations
A study published in the December 2024 issue of Treubia examined daily activity at Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, a captive research setting. The study listing reports a tendency for the captive animals to be more active and feed more in the afternoon. That result is about animals in captivity and does not, by itself, overturn the IUCN account’s description of wild nocturnal behavior. Treubia / BRIN study
Rank #2
- SIZE(L x W x H): 5 x 2.1 x 1.4 inches
- GET TO KNOW NATURE: The lizard toy has a detailed texture and unique pattern, the lifelike shape can let children learn about wild animals and feel the magic and beauty of nature
- AS A DECORATION: This Reptile figurine has realistic shapes to help you create realistic natural landscapes. It can also be used as a decoration for a Halloween party or April Fool's Day to increase the festive atmosphere
- HAND-PAINTED: Each lizard model is hand-painted, so the color distribution of each lizard model will be slightly different
- ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU: We’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at any time, our team is dedicated to providing prompt assistance
Is the Borneo earless monitor endangered?
Yes. The IUCN Red List account classifies Lanthanotus borneensis as Endangered (EN) and reports a decreasing population trend. The assessment was last conducted on October 24, 2019; that date is not a current population census, and the account does not provide a verified current headcount. It identifies habitat decline associated with forest clearance and pressure from international pet trade as concerns. IUCN Red List account
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAn IUCN Save Our Species project page lists a 2023–2024 effort in West Kalimantan to improve information about habitat and population characteristics. It also identifies habitat loss or degradation and poaching among the threats. The project description is not a population estimate. IUCN Save Our Species project
Rank #3
- Realistic Lizard Figurine Toys: 6PCS large lizard figures including Bearded Dragon, Fire Salamander, Chameleons, Coast Horned Lizard, and other realistic reptiles. Each model is inspired by real wild animals, perfect for imaginative play and exploring the animal kingdom.
- No-toxic Materials: Made from high-quality, BPA-free, non-toxic PVC. These sturdy lizard figurines can withstand rough play, making them ideal for kids to safely enjoy hours of fun.
- Hand-Painted Lifelike Details: Each reptile toy is carefully hand-painted with vibrant colors and realistic textures. The detailed design allows them to stand upright and enhances the sensory and visual experience for children.
- Educational and Creative Playset: Perfect for preschoolers, STEM projects, dioramas, creative role play, or as party favors. These animal figurines help spark curiosity about reptiles, wildlife, and nature.
- Fun Gift for Kids: This 6PCS lizard toy set is an ideal gift for birthdays, holidays, Christmas, Halloween, or as a classroom reward. Great for decorating rooms, desks, or bookshelves while encouraging learning through play.
Is it venomous, and is it protected from trade?
Venom should not be presented as a settled fact on the evidence cited here. A 2020 paper states that whether the lizard’s saliva serves a feeding or predator-deterrence function had not been experimentally validated or rejected in that study. 2020 paper in Toxicon
Documents from the 2016 CITES process include a proposal to list earless monitors in Appendix I and an accompanying analysis. A proposal does not establish the species’ current CITES listing, and those documents alone do not establish current Indonesian or Malaysian trade rules. Anyone needing a legal answer should check the current official CITES listing and the applicable national regulations. CITES CoP17 Proposal 32; IUCN/TRAFFIC proposal analysis
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Realistic Komodo Dragon Figures: Set of 4 lifelike Komodo dragons with vibrant colors and detailed design, perfect for play and education
- Educational and Fun: Promotes curiosity and imaginative play, helping children learn about reptiles and nature
- Versatile Use: Great for birthdays, cake toppers, or room decor, suitable for kids
- Ideal for Collecting: Perfect addition to any wildlife collection, whether for play, display, or educational purposes
- High Quality Materials: Made from soft plastic, safe for kids, meeting safety standards for long-lasting use
Rank #4
- SIZE（L x W x H): 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
- GET TO KNOW NATURE: The lizard toy has a detailed texture and unique pattern, the lifelike shape can let children learn about wild animals and feel the magic and beauty of nature
- AS A DECORATION: This Reptile figurine has realistic shapes to help you create realistic natural landscapes. It can also be used as a decoration for a Halloween party or April Fool's Day to increase the festive atmosphere. It can even be used as a cake decoration for a nature-themed party
- HAND-PAINTED: Each lizard model is hand-painted, so the color distribution of each lizard model will be slightly different
- ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU: We’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at any time, our team is dedicated to providing prompt assistance
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
