When first described Estesia was considered to be a member of the Varanoidea, the group that contains modern day monitor lizards (i.e. lace monitor, komodo dragon, etc). This relationship was based mostly upon the similarity of the jaws as well as the teeth which were sharp and recurved (curve to face the back of the mouth). Closer analysis of the teeth however later revealed the presence of grooves than ran along the lengths of the teeth, revealing a closer relationship with members of the Helodermatoidea, which include Gila Monsters. By extension, this is a strong indicator that Estesia may have also had a venomous bite. Perhaps just as well given that Estesia lived in Mongolia at a time that saw a multitude of predatory dinosaurs such as Byronosaurus, Saurornithoides, Mahakala and most famous of all Velociraptor all hunting and killing what they could to survive.
Estesia has been suggested to play 11 roles. Click below to see other actors suggested for each role, and vote for who you think would play the role best.
