Skull Island reptiles
The following is a list of reptiles living on Skull Island across the various continuities and stories featuring King Kong.
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RKO
Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description | Trivia |
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Stegosaurus |
King Kong (1933) |
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Brontosaurus |
King Kong (1933) |
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Triceratops |
• King Kong (novelization) (1932) • King Kong (comic strip) |
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Triceratops were one of three prehistoric animals considered for the same scene in the film. Ultimately, the Triceratops in the script was replaced with a Styracosaurus before the scene was cut completely. The 1933 comic strip used a styracosaur-like design to portray it. | |
Two-Legged Lizard |
• King Kong (1933) • King Kong (Boys' Magazine short story) • The Lost Spider Pit Sequence (2005) |
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The model used to depict it in "The Lost Spider Pit Sequence" suggests it is red in color, though given that this was made by a different crew and how differently colors photograph in black-and-white, these might not be canonically "true".[1][2] | |
Giant lizard |
• King Kong (novelization) (1932) • The Lost Spider Pit Sequence (2005) |
A reptile species regarded as a "lizard except for its size" lived as an opportunistic feeder in the Skull Island chasm.[3] While a member of the species was sunning itself on a rocky ledge, a fight between Kong and a Triceratops sent human sailors falling from a log bridging the gap and into the pit. One hit the lizard's ledge and it quickly devoured him. After the entire log fell into the pit, other members of the species came out to fight for carrion with the Octopus-insects and Huge spiders. It demonstrated climbing skill by poking its head out of the chasm to signal to the rest of the carrion feeders of the fresh carcass of a Meat-Eater on the surface.
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The maquette of the giant lizard made for Peter Jackson's recreation of the lost scene, based on production images of the original, was sculpted and designed by Shaun Bolton[1] | |
Meat-Eater |
King Kong (1933) |
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Elasmosaurus |
King Kong (1933) |
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Dinosaurus |
King Kong (Boys' Magazine short story) | The crew of the Venture were discovered a short way into the jungle by a beast with horned scales, three horns, and a spiked tail. Its description combines traits from a Stegosaurus and a Triceratops. | ||
Pteranodon |
King Kong (1933) |
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Styracosaurus |
• Son of Kong (1933) • The Lost Spider Pit Sequence (2005) |
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The Styracosaurus intended to appear in King Kong was originally meant to be an Arsinotherium, but in the novelization its role is played by a Triceratops.[1] | |
Dragon |
Son of Kong (1933) |
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Sea serpent |
Son of Kong (1933) |
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De Laurentiis
Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description | Trivia |
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Giant boa |
King Kong |
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Universal
Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description | Trivia |
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Tartarusaurus |
The World of Kong | Tartarusaurus saevus were 20-to-28-foot-long coastal predators of the coastline that preyed mainly on the fur seals that seasonally inhabited the area. Their strong legs allowed them to run very fast for short distances. They preyed primarily on Limusaurs, other coastal reptiles, and seals, although they would eat carrion if they found it. They were able to stand on their hind legs, and were thus able to raid nests in the cliff faces surrounding Skull Island. Seeing as the fur seals were seasonal prey, Tartarusaurus were nomadic and followed them wherever they went, which caused disputes with other Tartarusaurus. The fat stores in their tails allowed them to forego feeding for long periods of time, which allowed smaller organisms to compete in the ecosystem in the major predator's absence. The male Tartarusaurus were often in conflict over food and females. While combating one another, Tartarusaurus stood on their hind legs and slashed their opponent with their claws. Despite this, their tank-like skin allowed them to leave without serious injury. They were also known to eat Limusaurs.[4]
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The design and name that became Tartarusaurus was originally pitched to fill the role ultimately taken by the Foetodon.[5] | |
Peracerdon |
The World of Kong | Peracerdon exitialis were 12- to 16-foot-long coastal predators whose long snouts had developed to specialize in eating fish. Despite this, they readily ate seabirds and unguarded eggs or seal pups. Their strong claws allowed them to successfully wade in the rough waters all around the island. Their long tails served to counterbalance their long snouts as they snapped up fish and crabs from the water.[6] | ||
Limusaurus |
The World of Kong | Limusaurus corrodomolluscus were flabby salamander-like amphibians that lived clinging to rocks in Skull Island's saltwater splash zones. Their rock-hard teeth were used to rip mollusks off of rocks, and their thick, strong digestive tracts allowed them to consume the pulpy flesh complete with the bits of shell they bit off. They were preyed on by Tartarusaurus.[6] | ||
Dragonskin |
The World of Kong | Dragonskins (Varanus dracopellis) were a species of two- to three-foot-long monitor lizard that arrived to Skull Island later than most species, likely having floated there on driftwood or rafts of floating vegetation from Southeast Asia. Despite this, they still had the time to evolve into a new species with bright red scales that grew more vivid around the species' breeding season. They fed on eggs and smaller reptiles that traversed the cliffs where the Dragonskin lived.[7] | ||
Discus |
The World of Kong | Discus ora were four- to six-inch-long flying lizards that inhabited Skull Island's coast. Their short, rounded wings allowed them to make short flights between the rocks to find insects and to avoid the seagulls that preyed on them.[7] | ||
Aciedactylus |
The World of Kong | Aciedactylus mandocaris were 12- to 15-foot-long dinosaurs that inhabited the coastal swamps and subsisted mainly on shellfish. They had a second pair of nostrils on top of their heads with which they could make trumpeting sounds to signal to other individuals, but their main purpose was to allow Aciedactylus to seal their primary nostrils and to breathe through the secondary pair while their heads were in the water to feed. While their heads were fully specialized for shellfish eating, their claws became their main defense.[8] | Aciedactylus was revealed early on Weta Publishing's website, linked here. Aciedactylus at wetanz.com | |
Nefundusaurus |
The World of Kong | Nefundusaurus acerbus were enormous lizards, growing from 16 to 24 feet long, but they were not dinosaurs, like much of Skull Island's other inhabitants. Instead of this, they were a species of archosaur, a reptile group that predated the dinosaurs. The Nefundusaurus had an acute sense of smell that led it to rotting fish or other carrion. They used their intimidating size to steal meals from smaller predators, and they were able to swallow carcasses whole. Even turtles and large shellfish could be cracked and digested by Nefundusaurus' highly acidic stomach.[8] | Nefundusaurus was revealed early on Weta Publishing's website, linked here. Nefundusaurus at wetanz.com | |
Dirusubcus |
The World of Kong | Dirusucbus were a species of coastal swamp-dwelling crocodillian. They were frequently bullied for their kills by the larger Nefundusaurus.[8] | ||
Sea snake |
King Kong (novelization) | An unremarkable species of aquatic snake was spotted by Jack Driscoll and Ann Darrow within moments of arriving on Skull Island. It slithered out of a hole in some ruins and down into the waters off the coast.[9] | ||
Brontosaurus |
• King Kong • The World of Kong • Journey to Skull Island • Kong's Kingdom |
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Ligocristus |
The World of Kong |
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Ferrucutus |
• King Kong • The World of Kong • Journey to Skull Island |
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Calcarisaurus |
The World of Kong | Calcarisaurus ieiuniosus were five- to seven-foot-long reptiles akin to the thorny devil of Australia. Their nearly impenetrable hides were covered in hard spikes that secreted an irritant chemical to further dissuade curious predators. Because of their incredibly effective defense adaptations, almost no predators fed on Calcarisaurus, and thus they had poor eyesight and hearing. They relied on their noses to lead them to prey such as small lizards, rodents, or their favored prey: centipedes, whose bites their hides protected them from. Only the highly intelligent Venatosaurus had learned to flip the Calcarisaurus onto their backs to expose their less heavily armored bellies to kill and eat them. This limited Calcarisaurus' living range to places where Venatosaurus seldom ventured.[13] | ||
Termito'saurus |
The World of Kong | Termito'saurus formicavoro were 12- to 16-foot-long reptiles that subsisted entirely on insects. Their hard tusks and claws could be used to crack open termitaries or dig into underground colonies before inserting their long, sticky tongues to eat the insects inside. Their sense of smell guided them to the nurseries where it ate the protein-rich larvae. While not incapable of defending themselves in combat, Termito'saurus' principal defense were their colorful dorsal fans, used to startle predators. Termito'saurus only grouped together to breed, and otherwise lived in solitude. Eggs were buried in shallow pits, which the infants would dig their way out of before reaching the surface and developing on their own.[14] | Termito'saurus was revealed early on Weta Publishing's website, linked here. Termito'saurus at wetanz.com | |
Vastatosaurus rex |
• King Kong • The World of Kong • Journey to Skull Island • Meet Kong and Ann • Kong's Kingdom |
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Lycaesaurus |
The World of Kong | Lycaesaurus kirkii were four- to five-foot-long intelligent, mammal-like reptiles that stalked the grasslands. Living in burrows in the volcanic soil lined with vegetation to soften them, Lycaesaurus mated for life and usually gave birth to litters of two. While they would typically eat any prey smaller than themselves, the dog-like hunters often followed larger predators like V. rex in hopes of picking up their scraps from a kill, or to take any undefended young.[15] They used this decoy tactic to steal Brutornis eggs after luring mothers away from their nests.[16] | ||
White Wedgehead |
The World of Kong | White Wedgeheads (Cuneatosoris alba) were 16-inch-long lizards that specialized in eating Nigracassida dung beetles.[17] | ||
Pugbat |
The World of Kong | Pugbats (Turpis porcarius boul) were two- to three-foot-long flying reptiles that lived in colonies of up to 15 adults, plus their young that nested in fallen hollow trees. They hunted at sundown by using their eerie calls to frighten unsuspecting herds before the whole pack swooped down to prey on the young, the sick or the weak. They attacked their prey's neck for access to more blood vessels, and their mouths were so full of the foulest bacteria, that victims would go into coronary shock within minutes of being attacked. Their bald heads allowed them to be plunged into carcasses in search of tender meat. Male Pugbats boasted split wingtips to allow for greater finger maneuverability.[18]
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Malamagnus |
The World of Kong | Malamagnus were 15- to 20-foot-long herbivores that grazed lilies and shrubs in riverbanks and other shallow water to prevent any terrestrial predators from ambushing them. All adult members of their herds guarded their territory ferociously, and could easily ward off smaller terrestrial threats. They were particularly aggressive during breeding season. Their rubbery eggs were laid in riverbed vegetation, and chicks hatched well developed and ready to join the herd. They experienced exponential growth in their first year of life.[19] | Malamagnus was revealed early on Weta Publishing's website, linked here. Malamagnus at wetanz.com | |
Dirt Turtle |
The World of Kong | Dirt Turtles (Foeduchelys hospes) subsisted on the feces deposited at the bottom of Skull Island's waterways, supplemented with snails and insects. Their odd diet effectively made them a cleanup crew of the marshland by removing waste deposits.[19] | ||
Inox |
The World of Kong | Inoculopalus edax, or Inox, were a species of 12- to 18-foot-long spade-headed tetrapods that had not evolved much since the Permian Period. The Inox preferred to ambush its prey in stagnant waters, taking fish, birds, or anything that would fit down its throat. Despite having legs, Inox seldom left the water unless forced to by shrinking territory during droughts, or lack of food. They were clumsy on land, which left them vulnerable to predators. As tadpoles, Inox lived in muddy shallows and ate a mix of carrion, insects, grubs, and algae. At this stage, they resembled their parents, although their back legs and triangular skull emerged on reaching maturity.[20]
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Udusaurus |
The World of Kong | Udusaurus turpis were four- to six-foot-long aquatic reptiles. They hunted the rivers in packs of six individuals. Despite their being air-breathers, they could dive for up to three minutes. The hunting packs corralled schools of prey towards the surface, or to any dead end waterway, where they would take turns diving into the trapped cluster to get mouthfuls of fish.[21] | ||
Skull Island Snapper |
The World of Kong | Skull Island Snappers (Inimicostium insula) were two- to three-foot-long tortoises that had only recently adapted to become entirely aquatic. This is evidenced by their shells being unconventional for sea turtles, being domed and spiked rather than streamlined and flat. Unlike other tortoises, the Skull Island Snappers were fierce ambush predators. They waited in the reeds to drag wading birds down into the water.[22] | ||
Turturcassis |
The World of Kong | Turturcassis were eight- to 13-foot-long reptiles native to Skull Island's flooded forests and deep rivers that specialized in eating turtles. Their long, sinuous build allowed Turturcassis to plunge their necks into openings on the turtles' shells to eat them from the inside out.[22]
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Skull Island Loggerhead Sea Turtle |
The World of Kong | Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) had recently colonized Skull Island's wider stretches of rivers. Unlike their pelagic cousins, the Skull Island loggerhead turtles lived entirely in fresh water. Despite this, they had not yet evolved to the point at which a subspecies classification would be necessary.[23] They were a staple prey species for Turturcassis.[22] | ||
Swamp-wing |
The World of Kong |
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Falcotops |
The World of Kong | Falcotops were wading theropods that fed on the large carrion whelk in Skull Island's wetlands. Their beaks were perfectly adapted to enter a snail's shell and cut the mollusk from its casing, allowing it to be swallowed whole.[25] | ||
Furcidactylus |
The World of Kong | Furcidactylus, whose name translates to "fork-finger", were a species of wading theropod that had specialized to capture fish.[23] | ||
Ambulaquasaurus |
The World of Kong | Ambulaquasaurus cristarujus were 10- to 14-foot-long relatives of Venatosaurus that specialized in eating fish. Their eyes were specialized to reduce glare from the water, and Ambulaquasaurus would also hunt in shaded regions to give themselves an additional advantage. Their strong, specialized jaws allowed them to grab fish as big as three feet in length. Being the largest and strongest wading dinosaur, Ambulaquasaurus could wade the rapids to wait for Sparkleside mullets. They could be found wading in all of Skull Island's waters.[26] | ||
Scissor-head |
The World of Kong | Scissor-heads (Axiciacepkalus curio) were three- to four-foot-long wading reptiles that, despite being descended from pterosaurs, had evolved into wading reptiles. Special organs kept them afloat, while their streamlined shape made them graceful swimmers. Their long snouts with rows of interlocking teeth allowed them to retrieve invertebrates from under rocks on the bottoms of estuaries. When swimming and hunting in cool water, they could redirect blood from the outermost regions of its body in a type of homeostasis.[27] | ||
Venatosaurus saevidicus |
• King Kong • The World of Kong • Kong's Kingdom |
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Venatosaurus impavidus |
The World of Kong | Venatosaurus impavidus were a smaller species of Venatosaurus that favored the ravines and waterways of Skull Island. Their lighter build and better low-light vision allowed them to take advantage of both awakening nocturnal hunters and daylight prey in the gap between their respective times of activity. The bright blue tip on their tails was used to attract mates, with more vividly colored tails being more sought after than duller ones.[28]
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Adlapsuaurus |
The World of Kong | Adlapsuaurus were nest-raiding creatures that were drawn to the scent of V. rex urine, sprayed over their nests to keep other predators away. Their quick reflexes and keen hearing made them ideal egg thieves. They stealthily approached nests before running away to eat in hidden spaces.[29] | ||
Foetodon |
King Kong, The World of Kong |
The Tartarusaurus was originally a very early design of the Foetodon before being repurposed for The World of Kong[5] | ||
Avarusaurus |
The World of Kong | Avarusaurus populator were 18- to 26-foot-long opportunist omnivores that ate anything they could find, be it live prey, carrion, fungi, or rotten fruit. Their intensely acidic stomachs allowed for this habit, and had developed to take in massive amounts of food to digest at a later time. They lived in solitude, but their tenacity and strength allowed them to defend themselves from other predators.[31] | ||
Scimitodon |
The World of Kong | Scimitodon sagax were six- to nine-foot-long predators that specialized in hunting birds, whether they be on the ground, in trees, small, or the large predatory birds that called Skull Island home. Leaping between branches, Scimitodon could leap as many as 20 feet in a single bound. Their long, curved claws were used mainly for climbing, and their dagger-like teeth were used to capture prey, often with a single bite. Females laid two or three eggs in hollow trees or caves formed by roots. They would stay with the eggs while the males would hunt for food and return to the nest with their kills. Pups were born with small teeth only able to chew what small morsels their mother cut off for them. Their full sabers did not develop until they were about one year old. The father abandoned the litter when the pups reached four months of age or so, and returned to a solitary existence. The young remained with their mother and learned to hunt before she drove them away during the next breeding season to attract a new mate.[32] | ||
Carver |
The World of Kong | Carvers (Carocarptor interfector) were 25- to 33-foot-long stocky, stealthy carnivores that mated for life with a hunting partner to silently stalk the jungle floor. Even in the already dark jungles, Carvers were nocturnal predators with keen eyes and an acute sense of hearing and smell. In addition to their strong senses, their snouts housed a thermal-sensing organ that allowed hidden prey to be given away by their thermal signatures. Their savage bite meant the end for any animal that crossed their path, including those as large as a juvenile Diablosaurus. Being incredibly protective of their kills, Carvers would often drag a kill for miles just to get it into protected seclusion. With powerful bone-crushing jaws, a pair of Carvers could live off a kill for several days, leaving little left for scavengers.[33] | ||
Pugiodorsus |
The World of Kong | Pugiodorsus squameus were nine-foot-long ornithischian herbivores that traveled in packs with rotating guard duties to protect the rest while they grazed. Their greatest defense was their alertness, which necessitated great stealth on the part of the Carvers that pursued them. The Pugiodorsus' back spikes were pointed backwards to protect them from pursuit predators, forcing Carvers to be wary when going in for a killing bite. It was better to aim for their stomachs or necks.[34] | ||
Hebeosaurus |
The World of Kong | Hebeosaurus torvus were an 18-foot-long species frequently preyed upon by Carvers. Despite their slow and sluggish nature, Hebeosaurus' thick neck and reinforced throat pipes made killing them quickly almost impossible. They were typically brought down by pairs of Carvers working together, but a downside to their defense system was that they usually died slow, messy deaths.[34] | ||
Dinocanisaurus |
The World of Kong | Dinocanisaurus were three- to four-foot-long cynodonts that lived in packs of up to 12 adults and pups. The aggressive predators were highly social and depended on one another for defense and hunting coordination. Their highly organized packs were led by a matriarch, with all other pack-members having defined roles to play. Eggs hatched in dens dug out beneath trees. After plentiful hunting year, multiple females might hatch pups and raise them all together, but in lean seasons the matriarch would destroy the eggs of lower-ranking females to reduce competition for her own young. Working as a team to bring down prey both big and small, they communicated during hunts with grunts and whistles, taking prey from both the ground and as high into the trees as they could climb. Their pack behavior and coordination was not as sophisticated as that of the Venatosaurus that would prey on Dinocanisaurus if given the opportunity.[35] | ||
Diablosaurus |
The World of Kong |
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Asperdorsus |
The World of Kong |
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Tree-tops |
The World of Kong |
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Monstrutalpus |
The World of Kong | Monstrutalpus were 12- to 15-foot-long foragers named for their prowess at excavation. Their strong forelimbs allowed them to dig up tubers, roots and fungi to eat. Their strong sense of smell led them to their quarry several feet underground. Their flat front teeth allowed roots to be cut, while broad molars backed by strong jaw muscles reduced even the toughest matter to pulp. In the breeding season, females gave off a powerful scent that would attract males from miles away. Often, several males followed one female for days and attempted to prevent the others from making advances while the female picked her mates from the crowd. Eggs were buried and the young were left to develop on their own after they dug their way to the surface.[39] | ||
Atercurisaurus |
The World of Kong | Atercurisaurus were 16- to 20-foot-long herbivores that were the last surviving stegosaur in existence. Despite their impressive dorsal plates and spikes, which made them an uneasy lunch for predators, competition with other more successful herbivores was causing the small population's numbers to decline even more. Their slow metabolism required constant grazing, but their species had overspecialized into only eating certain rare ferns that had become rare due to competition with other plants. On top of this unfortunate pair of circumstances, when they found their rare ferns they were forced to share them with other grazers. These practices would have led to their eventual extinction, meaning the extinction of the entire stegosaur race had Skull Island not sank in 1948. Females lived in matriarchal herds of about 12 plus their young, while a number of solitary bulls were never far behind. In the breeding season, bulls would take turns approaching the herd and displaying themselves. If accepted, they would join the herd temporarily and gain access to the cows far a few days. Atercurisaurus made a wide range of sounds with various parts of their body, each signaling something different, from an "all is well" made while grazing to alarms, with a different sound for each different threat, to begging to parents, to shows of submission to the matriarch.[40] | ||
Feather Devil |
The World of Kong | Feather Devils (Pinnatudeamus pernix) were four- to six-inch-long flying lizards with scales analogous to birds' feathers. Feather Devils were the most maneuverable of Skull Island's flying lizards, whom it was unrelated to, being able to change direction in mid-flight to pursue insects or avoid predators. Feather Devils emitted frog-like croaks in order to claim territory and impress mates. Depending on the time of year, the forest canopy rang with their vocalizations.[41] | ||
Alatusaurus sanguideia |
The World of Kong | Alatusaurus sanguideia were six- to eight-inch-long flying lizards, or "flizards" as they came to be known. They were the most common of the Alatusaurus genus of True Flizards. Their long whiplike tails made up two-thirds of their total length. While both males and females boasted thorny heads, the males were the most pronounced, and they used them to intimidate one another. They ate only small insects.[42] | ||
Aliepesaurus |
The World of Kong | Aliepesaurus were five- to seven-inch-long flizards that had webbed wing membranes between their long toes. Unlike True Flizards, Aliepesaurus wings were attached to their forearms.[42] | ||
Alatusaurus cinnabaris |
• King Kong: The Island of the Skull • The World of Kong |
Alatusaurus cinnabaris were seven- to 10-inch-long flizards that were fearless hunters of small invertebrates. They made a habit of flying close to lumbering dinosaurs to eat whatever insects had been disturbed in their thundering wake.[42] | ||
Alatusaurus pergrandis |
The World of Kong | Alatusaurus pergrandis were 10- to 13-inch-long reptiles that were the largest of the flizards. Males bore small horn-like growths over their eyes that they used to battle one another with over contested branches.[43] | ||
Alatusaurus scintilla |
The World of Kong | Alatusaurus scintilla were four- to six-inch-long flizards that used their bright red skin to attract mates in the dark jungle canopy.[43] | ||
Novusaurus biscutica |
The World of Kong | Novusaurus biscutica were six to seven inches long, and were the only member of their genus. They subsisted entirely on butterflies.[43] | ||
Aerosaurus verdens |
The World of Kong | Aerosaurus verdens were seven- to 10-inch-long lizards that, while being unrelated to the flizards, could glide for short distances with wing membranes on their legs and toes. While these short hops could easily save an Aaerosaurus from a hungry giant centipede, Skull Island Hawks would easily grab the Aerosaurus out of the air.[44]
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Herbivorous chameleons |
The World of Kong | Herbivorous chameleons evolved on Skull Island and became the largest chameleons in the world. Most subsisted on the nutritious canopy fruit, while two of the six species would supplement this diet with insects when they could be found. One species ate only sap and nectar. The species included the seven- to nine-inch-long Trident Chameleon, the 25- to 33-inch-long Chamelephant, the 12- to 18-inch-long Honey-tongue, and the 30- to 36-inch-long Fat Chameleon.[45] | ||
Vultursaurus |
• King Kong: The Island of the Skull • The World of Kong |
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Bear-croc |
The World of Kong | Bear-crocs (Urusuchus bombus) were omnivorous reptiles known for their incredibly loud roars. After staking a claim to a patch of rare vegetation in Skull Island's rocky uplands, they let out bellowing calls enhanced by special reverberating chambers in their guts, next to their windpipes. Their calls could be heard for miles around and helped to minimize competition between individuals. Their tails contained fat-stores that helped them through months when food was scarce.[47] | ||
Chaly-tops |
• The World of Kong • Journey to Skull Island |
Chaly-tops (Chalyceratops seradorsus) were 10- to 16-foot-long reptiles related to Ferrucutus. They avoided the forests of their native uplands, but did graze the vegetation of the subalpine region. While Chaly-tops were rare to see, the sounds of their fierce gladiatorial bouts rang throughout the mountains. Males would savagely joust at one another to secure a harem of females, leaving most males with heavy scars and broken and damaged horns. Their fights were among the most brutal of any ceratopsian.[47] | ||
Bifurcatops |
The World of Kong | Bifurcatops peritus were six- to 10-foot-long gazelle-like ceratopsians that were the smallest and most delicate on Skull Island. With their horseshoe-shaped crests not being the correct shape for physical bouts, to attract mates males performed elaborate dances. Their lighter build allowed them to traverse the island's crumbling mountains to graze the vegetation clinging to the rocks.[48] | ||
Arsartis |
The World of Kong | Arsartis agilis were eight- to 12-foot-long hunters of Bifurcatops. In a reversal of the evolution experienced by its theropod ancestors, Arsartis had reverted to a four-legged stance for better stability on the crumbling rocks of Skull Island's uplands. They used their speed and maneuverability to run prey down before pinning them down and tearing out their throats.[49] | ||
Bidensaurus |
The World of Kong | Bidensaurus mactabilis were a species of nocturnal carnivore roughly the size of a large dog at a length of five to six feet. They were relatives of Lycaesaurus and Gladiodon, and lived in solitude except for the months they spent with partners in mating season. Their sense of smell helped in sniffing out small prey as it slept.[49] | ||
Gladiodon |
The World of Kong | Gladiodon igneospinus were eight- to 18-foot-long mammal-like predators boasting colorful red stripes, a feather-like dorsal fan, and saber teeth. It preyed on the Chaly-tops and Bifurcatops that inhabited its region, but specialized in hunting predators. They would bite their victim and inflict fatal wounds before tracking the victim after releasing it and finally eating it after the creature had succumbed to blood loss. Males gathered in traditional spots to flaunt their stripes, fans, and teeth in a courting ritual while females walked among them to pick out which male impressed them the most for breeding.[50] | ||
Malevolusaurus |
The World of Kong | Malevolusaurus perditor were 20- to 24-foot-long ill-tempered predators that would scavenge carrion or wounded animals from other predators, dig animals out of their burrows, and uproot plants to access their roots and tubers. Their dorsal fans, inherited from their Permian pelycosaur ancestors, were used to warm themselves in the mornings, giving themselves extra energy for the day. However, many individuals' fans were scarred and torn from dominance battles with other males in which they would claw and bite one another, as well as butt their spiked crowns together. Eggs were lain on sunny slopes to give them natural heat; however, when born, eight percent of infants fell prey to hungry adults in their first year of life. This proved to be effective population control, as only Gladiodon hunted adult Malevolusaurus.[51] | ||
Draco |
The World of Kong | Dracos (Dracomicros hospes) were nine- to 12-inch-long flying lizards. Their main defense was their camouflage, as their brightly colored, striped wings were folded in at their sides. When threatened, Dracos would freeze, but if their predator persisted they would flash their wings to startle the attacker, giving them precious time to fly away. With proper use of mountainous elevation and gusts of wind, Dracos could glide for hundreds of feet. Flashing of their wings also served as a means of intimidating rivals and attracting mates. Females gave birth to up to six live babies at a time, and the young could fend for themselves immediately. Births were always timed to a certain lunar phase to allow their young better chances for survival, so at certain times of the year, Skull Island's upland rocks swarmed with tiny Dracos.[52] | ||
Fin-headed lizard |
• King Kong (novelization) • The Search for Kong |
A species of 30-foot-long, slender dinosaur could be found on Skull Island. Their sides one of which made a moaning sound that frightened the crew of the Venture, causing them to fire wildly into the bush, killing one member of the species, and wounding another which came running at them before meeting the same fate as its fellow. They ran bipedally with long kangaroo-like legs. Their whole bodies were covered in spikes and horns.[53] | ||
Unnamed carnivore |
• King Kong (novelization) • Escape from Skull Island |
On spotting Ann Darrow alone in the jungle, a member of a carnivorous species standing at least eight feet tall and boasting a notable jaw began to pursue her. She tried to back away, but it had already smelled her, and rounded behind her as she hid behind a tree. Another individual then came out of the brush to help in the hunt. They managed to chase her to a hollow beneath a tree, where they began to try to dig through the wood to get at her, but were picked up and eaten by a Vastatosaurus rex before they could get to her.[54] These unnamed carnivores take the place of the Foetodon. | ||
Giant venatosaur |
Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World | A species of gargantuan venatosaur inhabited the island, and a group of four of them stomped out of the forest to attack the valley home of a Brontosaurus herd. They attacked primarily with their tails.[55] | ||
Carnotaur |
• Kong's Kingdom • The Search for Kong | Another stand-in for Venatosaurus was the Carnotaur featured in some of the picture books associated with the film. Despite their name, they bore little resemblance to dinosaurs of the actual theropod genus Carnotaurus. One Carnotaur chased a lone Brontosaurus through a clearing.[56] In another telling of the story, a group of at least three Carnotaurs entered a herd of brontosaurs and they began to stampede. The Carnotaurs quickly changed their focus from the sauropods to the humans among them. They chased the humans up a mossy slope on the side of the valley, but somehow escaped.[57] |
Monsterverse
Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Triceratops |
Kong: Skull Island (2017) |
| |
Leafwings |
• Kong: Skull Island (2016) • Skull Island: The Birth of Kong (2017) • Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) |
| |
Psychovultures |
Skull Island: The Birth of Kong (2017) |
| |
Sirenjaws |
| ||
Magma Turtle |
| ||
Giant snake |
Kong: Skull Island - The Official Movie Novelization (2017) | After Kong attacked the helicopters escorting the 1973 Landsat expedition to Skull Island and downed the entire group, ex-Special Air Service tracker James Conrad attempted to get to high ground in order to get a better look at the surrounding topography. While climbing, he touched what looked like a vine, but turned out to be a 60-foot-long snake which tried to eat him. The giant serpent possessed a head as large as that of a full-grown human's, and fangs the length of a man's finger. Though it nearly constricted him to death, Conrad was able to kill it by stabbing it in the head with a knife. | |
Aloe turtle |
Skull Island (TV 2023) |
| |
Croc Monster |
| ||
Vine snake |
In "Breakfast Fit for a Kong", a vine snake watched Charlie, Annie, Mike, and Dog travel through the forest. Later, eight of them ambushed a group of Irene's mercenaries who were trying to lure Annie and Dog into the open. | ||
Killer Chameleon |
|
Kong of Skull Island
Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Gaw |
• Kong: King of Skull Island (2005) • Kong of Skull Island (2016-17) • King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) • King Kong of Skull Island (2018) |
| |
Meat-Eater |
• Merian C. Cooper's King Kong (2005) • Kong: King of Skull Island (2005) • King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) |
| |
Deathrunners |
• Kong: King of Skull Island (2005) • Kong of Skull Island (2016-17) • King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) • King Kong of Skull Island (2018) • Kong on the Planet of the Apes (2018) |
| |
Giant Pteranodon |
• Merian C. Cooper's King Kong (2005) Kong of Skull Island (2016-17) • King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) |
| |
Triceratops |
• Kong of Skull Island (2016-17) • King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) |
| |
Dvahgu |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | Dvaghu were a species of turtle about the size of a small car. They had retractable trunks with a snipping claw on the end, and it can be used as a snorkel to allow the Dvaghu to stay underwater indefinitely. They lived for hundreds of years thanks in part to their having no natural predators as adults. Their shells were tough enough to cause predators to leave them in frustration after they retracted inside them.[61] | |
Archaeopteryx |
• Merian C. Cooper's King Kong (2005) • King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) |
Archaeopteryx were a species of bird-like dinosaur with iridescent colored feathers. They were sometimes kept as pets among the Tagatu. Their flights were clumsy.[62][63]
| |
Moposaur |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | Moposaurs were a species of popular reptile often seen as a pet in Tagatu civilization. They are described as a cross between a parrot and a koala. Their feathers were used for all kinds of things, and so they were routinely plucked.[64][65]
| |
Giant Moposaur |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | A species of gigantic Moposaur at sizes rivaling the Kongs were recorded by the Tagatu; however, sightings stopped after the Kongs were banished beyond the wall. However, at some point after 1933 an infant was discovered, already five feet tall, and was captured by the Tagatu.[66] | |
Jaglig |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | The Jaglig, meaning "Glutton", was an 80-pound frog-like creature that could eat a small dinosaur close to its own size, and its chasing down full grown humans was not unheard of. Their black and green skin was covered in disgusting slime, but any person who could catch one was celebrated, because the Jaglig's meat was seen as a delicacy.[67] | |
Giant frogs |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | The island was home to a vast variety of frog species, some of which were capable of eating whole humans. These vicious eaters ate anything that they could fit into their mouths.[68] | |
Giant eel |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | This species of eel-like salamander lived in the filthy still waters under Skull Mountain. It used its bioluminescent whiskers to attract curious prey.[69] | |
Amphibious predator |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | Carl Denham at one point observed the head of a reptile poking through the canopy. He suspected by its dorsal fin that it may have been partially aquatic.[70] | |
Cadavasaurus |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | The Cadavasaurus hunted carrion feeders by feigning death, aided by its emaciated appearance and ability to emit a stench that mimicked rotting meat. When prey came close to it, it struck.[71][72]
| |
Taurotops |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | Based on an eyewitness testimony, Denham sketched this creature that had chased a man through the jungle.[73] | |
Frill-less ceratopsian |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | This interesting species was built like a ceratopsian, but had no frill on its neck and spines on its back similar to the stegosaur Kentrosaurus.[74] | |
Unknown beast |
King Kong: Skull Island Adventure (2008) | Denham once spotted this species of dinosaur for just long enough to make this sketch.[75] | |
Unnamed marine reptile |
Kong of Skull Island (2016-17) |
| |
Ankylosaur |
Kong of Skull Island (2016-17) | A population of ankylosaurs lived on the island. When the radical Aguul used Scent Triggers to make the Kongs become feral, they were too powerful and made all the dinosaurs of the jungle begin to rampage, including the typically docile herbivores such as the ankylosaurs. | |
Tailed pterosaur |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | A species of pterosaur with a long tail destroyed the plane of missionary explorer James Conrad when he first discovered Skull Island. | |
"Birdies" |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | A species of bird-like reptile that lived around the island were later dubbed "Birdies" by Captain Cooper. Cooper, who got separated from the 1912 Conrad expedition, went mad in the jungle and gained control of a population of Birdies after being held by Kong. The cavern full of them attacked the rest of the expedition when they came to find Cooper in his cave. | |
Unnamed aquatic serpents |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | Two serpentine beasts attacked the surveying half of the Conrad expedition, led by Captain Cooper, and destroyed their boat before Kong rose above them on an overlooking ridge, forcing the survivors to run. | |
Harpy |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | A strange species of feathered reptile with the ability to vocalize like parrots and Archaeopteryx lived deep in Skull Island, and menacingly chanted "Kong" while the ape grabbed Captain Cooper and took him to places unknown. They fed on carrion, and their horrible screeching could alert other predators to meat, allowing them to feed. | |
Unnamed aquatic serpent |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | Another aquatic serpent was trapped by Tagatu fishermen and speared to death before being roasted and eaten. | |
Unnamed two-legged predator |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | Three two-legged predators with blue bodies, red heads and legs and bulbous yellow eyes attacked the banished Conrad expedition shortly after they entered the jungle at night. One killed one of the party before they were scared off by a sailor with a shotgun. | |
Giant snake |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | A species of gigantic purple snake with red eyes lived in Skull Island's jungle trees. One such snake attacked the exiled expedition led by James Conrad in 1912. | |
Gigantic crocodilian |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | While Conrad's group tried to cross a river deep in Skull Island, one of the sailors fell victim to an enormous crocodilian living under the water's surface. | |
Unnamed quadrupedal predator |
Kong: Gods of Skull Island (2017) | An orange predator capable of walking bipedally and supporting its weight in a quadruped stance attacked the banished Conrad expedition after being attracted to them by the cries of the Harpies. It ate one of the sailors before Kong arrived and quickly tore its top jaw off of the rest of its body. | |
Unnamed quadrupedal predator |
Kong of Skull Island (2018) | Several giant chameleon-like predators attacked Gudrun and her Viking warriors shortly after they arrived on the island. They killed and ate several of them before Kong came and ran them off. However, after Gudrun mutinied, she killed some of her former men and set them out as bait. All of the quadrupedal predators they had encountered and the flying Pteranodons swarmed the beach and slaughtered the remaining Vikings. | |
Unnamed quadrupedal predator |
Kong of Skull Island (2018) | During Gudrun's initial assault on Skull Island, another species of crocodilian-like quadruped reptiles played a smaller role in the retaliation. However, after their return to the island and attempts at colonization, the crocodilians grew to be more of a problem. Several of them attacked the group and Kong before they were defeated by their combined efforts. Some individuals grew small horns on their noses. However, after Gudrun mutinied, she killed some of her former men and set them out as bait. All of the quadrupedal predators they had encountered and the flying Pteranodons swarmed the beach and slaughtered the remaining Vikings. | |
Unnamed quadrupedal predator |
Kong of Skull Island (2018) | A more armored, armadillo-like species of giant lizard greeted Gudrun and Dagur on their return siege. Gudrun, who came prepared, shoved an enormous spear through its jaws, killing it. However, after Gudrun mutinied, she killed some of her former men and set them out as bait. All of the quadrupedal predators they had encountered and the flying Pteranodons swarmed the beach and slaughtered the remaining Vikings. |
Kong Reborn
Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Giant stegosaur |
Kong Reborn |
| |
Brontosaurus |
Kong Reborn |
| |
Meat-Eater |
Kong Reborn |
| |
Giant Pteranodon |
Kong Reborn |
| |
Hadrosaurs |
Kong Reborn | Two species of crested hadrosaurs lived on the island, and were a staple food source for the predators. | |
Raptor |
Kong Reborn |
| |
Giant crocodilian |
Kong Reborn | At least one species of giant crocodilian called the island home. | |
Frog-Lizard |
Kong Reborn | Frog-Lizards were a baffling species of small reptile described as having a frog's body with lizard-like legs. |
See also
References
This is a list of references for Skull Island reptiles. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
|
Bibliography
- Falconer, Daniel; Weta Workshop (22 November 2005). The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island. Pocket Star. ISBN 978-1-4165-0519-8.
- Golden, Christopher (13 December 2005). King Kong. Pocket Star Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-0391-0.
- Lovelace, Delos W. (1932). King Kong. Grosset and Dunlap. ISBN 0448439131.
- Seidman, David (1 November 2005). Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World. Meredith Books. ISBN 0-696-22813-0.
- Simon-Kerr, Julia (8 November 2005). Kong's Kingdom. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-077302-1.
- Hapka, Catherine (8 November 2005). The Search for Kong. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-077303-8.
- Blackford, Russell (1 November 2005). Kong Reborn. ibooks. ISBN 1-59687-133-4.
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