Researchers at the University of Tübingen concluded that Homo floresiensis, the diminutive hominin nicknamed "Hobbits," likely scavenged carcasses of pygmy elephant relatives (Stegodon) left by Komodo dragons rather than hunting them themselves. The assessment is based on bone assemblages from Liang Bua cave on Flores Island, where both H. floresiensis fossils and Stegodon remains are found in the same sediment layers.

Analysis of the bones revealed two distinct types of marks: cut marks from stone tools appearing on less desirable meat sections, and shallower, wider tooth marks matching the feeding behavior of Komodo dragons, which grip prey and shake their heads to tear flesh. Experiments with a Komodo dragon at Zoo Atlanta produced similar bite patterns when feeding on a goat carcass, supporting the interpretation that the dragon's feeding left distinctive marks on the Stegodon bones.

The study found no evidence of fire use in the layers associated with H. floresiensis, indicating that any meat consumed was eaten raw. Researchers calculated that hunting large prey would have required disproportionate time and energy compared to the caloric return, making smaller prey such as giant rats a more efficient food source, which aligns with the abundant rat remains in the cave.

The findings challenge earlier assumptions that H. floresiensis were capable big‑game hunters and that they used fire, and they add nuance to the ongoing debate about the species' ancestry. While the Hobbits' skeletal features show some similarities to Homo erectus, other traits suggest a closer relationship to earlier hominins such as Homo habilis or Australopithecus. The study does not resolve whether H. floresiensis descended from Homo erectus or an earlier, less specialized hominin, and further evidence is needed to clarify its place in the human family tree and the origins of its stone tool tradition.