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Description
A Squamate lineage that was endemic to Europe (indeed, their first appearance is at Quercy) were the Dracolacertines. A sub-family within the similarly European Eurolacertidae, these were superficially monitor lizard like carnivores. True Varanoids once inhabited Europe during the Paleocene, although they seem to have died out at some point during the Eocene for reasons that are poorly understood. The semi-aquatic Pachyvaranids dwelt in and around the estuaries and river mouths of Southern Europe, but did not venture further inland into terrestrial ecosystems. In their absence, the endemic Dracolacertines emerged during at least the Middle Oligocene and quite probably earlier if recent phylogenetic studies are to be believed. These were large, predatory Lacertiform lizards with finely serrated teeth and powerful robust skulls. Capable both on the ground and in the tress, animals such as the 75cm Cadurcosaurus were hunters of small mammals, lizards, frogs and hatchling dinosaurs. It is also likely that these lizards would feed on the eggs themselves if hatchlings or juveniles were absent. This was a successful lineage, remaining in Southern Europe and Turkey until the Holocene, with a small window of absence during the glacial periods of the Pleistocene. The lizards would retreat into the Levant and Near East with the advance of the ice sheets, re-entering Europe during the warmer interglacials.

Description
A Squamate lineage that was endemic to Europe (indeed, their first appearance is at Quercy) were the Dracolacertines. A sub-family within the similarly European Eurolacertidae, these were superficially monitor lizard like carnivores. True Varanoids once inhabited Europe during the Paleocene, although they seem to have died out at some point during the Eocene for reasons that are poorly understood. The semi-aquatic Pachyvaranids dwelt in and around the estuaries and river mouths of Southern Europe, but did not venture further inland into terrestrial ecosystems. In their absence, the endemic Dracolacertines emerged during at least the Middle Oligocene and quite probably earlier if recent phylogenetic studies are to be believed. These were large, predatory Lacertiform lizards with finely serrated teeth and powerful robust skulls. Capable both on the ground and in the tress, animals such as the 75cm Cadurcosaurus were hunters of small mammals, lizards, frogs and hatchling dinosaurs. It is also likely that these lizards would feed on the eggs themselves if hatchlings or juveniles were absent. This was a successful lineage, remaining in Southern Europe and Turkey until the Holocene, with a small window of absence during the glacial periods of the Pleistocene. The lizards would retreat into the Levant and Near East with the advance of the ice sheets, re-entering Europe during the warmer interglacials.