Komodo dragons. The now-extinct moa bird. Real rodents of unusual size. The giant cyclops Polyphemus.
Each of these anxiety sweat-inducing creatures is the monstrous result of one of nature’s greatest processes: island gigantism. When animals and the children of ancient gods are segregated onto islands away from predators and competitive species, they often grow to larger, more leisurely sizes. Unfortunately for traveling sailors or invasive predators (which are often one in the same), the increase in size is also accompanied by an increase in territorialism.
Take note, passers by!: We’re not afraid to defend our island homes. And we’re a lot bigger than you now. So we can probably best you in hand to hand combat. And especially rock to head combat.
