Kumi Lizard
Encyclopedia
The Kumi Lizard is a cryptid
reptile, possibly a giant monitor lizard
, which allegedly once lived in New Zealand
. It is similar to the giant extinct Australian lizard, Megalania
apart from the alleged fact it lives in trees.
In New Zealand Mysteries, author Robyn Gosset refers to a sighting of a Kumi in 1898 by Maori bushman. It's size was estimated at 1.5 meters long. In the first edition of the book, Gosset refers to several more accounts of the lizard which are absent from the second edition. These include an account from captain James Cook
, who was told by Maori in Queen Charlotte Sound
that huge, Arboreal lizards were present in the surrounding bushland, and that they were greatly feared, as well as a sighting from 1875 of a large lizard washed up in a flooded Hokianga
river and the discovery of bones possibly from the animal that same year.t
In more recent times sightings have become rarer. The most recent reports both come from 1898, one describing a large reptile seen near Gisbourne, the other a huge creature akin to a monitor lizard which threatened a bushman in Arowhana before retreating into a Rata
tree. Although the animal itself was not spotted again photographs of its footprints were taken.
One possible explanation could be the Crocodile Monitor, Varanus salvador, which is native to New Guinea. Crocodile Monitors can grow to 13' in length, and, throughout their lives, spend at least part of their time in the trees. Since Monitors are good swimmers, and Crocodile Monitors do live on an island, it is not impossible that the Crocodile Monitor is the source of the legend.
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
reptile, possibly a giant monitor lizard
Monitor lizard
Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known...
, which allegedly once lived in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is similar to the giant extinct Australian lizard, Megalania
Megalania
Megalania is a giant extinct goanna or monitor lizard. It was part of a megafaunal assemblage that inhabited southern Australia during the Pleistocene, and appears to have disappeared around 40,000 years ago...
apart from the alleged fact it lives in trees.
In New Zealand Mysteries, author Robyn Gosset refers to a sighting of a Kumi in 1898 by Maori bushman. It's size was estimated at 1.5 meters long. In the first edition of the book, Gosset refers to several more accounts of the lizard which are absent from the second edition. These include an account from captain James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
, who was told by Maori in Queen Charlotte Sound
Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand
Queen Charlotte Sound is the easternmost of the main sounds of the Marlborough Sounds, in New Zealand's South Island. It is, like the other sounds, a drowned river valley , and like the majority of its neighbours it runs southwest to northeast before joining Cook Strait.The town of Picton, the...
that huge, Arboreal lizards were present in the surrounding bushland, and that they were greatly feared, as well as a sighting from 1875 of a large lizard washed up in a flooded Hokianga
Hokianga
Hokianga is an area surrounding the Hokianga Harbour, also known as The Hokianga River, a long estuarine drowned valley on the west coast in the north of the North Island of New Zealand....
river and the discovery of bones possibly from the animal that same year.t
In more recent times sightings have become rarer. The most recent reports both come from 1898, one describing a large reptile seen near Gisbourne, the other a huge creature akin to a monitor lizard which threatened a bushman in Arowhana before retreating into a Rata
Rata
Rata may refer to:* Plants of the genus Metrosideros from New Zealand, including** Metrosideros robusta ** Metrosideros bartlettii ** Metrosideros carminea...
tree. Although the animal itself was not spotted again photographs of its footprints were taken.
One possible explanation could be the Crocodile Monitor, Varanus salvador, which is native to New Guinea. Crocodile Monitors can grow to 13' in length, and, throughout their lives, spend at least part of their time in the trees. Since Monitors are good swimmers, and Crocodile Monitors do live on an island, it is not impossible that the Crocodile Monitor is the source of the legend.