.jpg "The World Largest Lizard Komodo Dragon Unique Facts") |
| Komodo Dragon |
The World Largest Lizard Komodo Dragon Unique Facts
Komodo dragons are known as the largest species of lizards in the world. Komodo dragons are found only on Indonesian islands and this is the only place where you can see wild Komodo dragons. Apart from this, Komodo dragons can also be seen in zoos around the world where they are kept in more care.
Komodo dragons are dangerous predatory animals and the other name of this species is known as Komodo monitor. Komodo dragons have sharp claws, strong teeth and strength and many animals become their prey. These large lizards can also hunt water buffalo and they are not only great hunters but also poisonous.
The venom of Komodo dragons is powerful and after biting, Komodo dragons can make their prey helpless. The tail of Komodo dragons is almost as big as their body. If you want to know more about them then read the article completely.
Where Are Komodo Dragon Found
The Komodo dragon, also known as the Komodo monitor, is a type of large lizard found only in the Indonesian islands. Komodo dragons are a species of large lizards called monitors. But monitors can be found throughout Asia and Africa. Komodo dragons are found only in Indonesia where they are kept in the Komodo National Park.
Apart from this, Komodo dragons are limited to Komodo Island and some other neighboring islands of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Komodo dragons have a tendency to live alone and prefer to live a solitary life, appearing together only for mating and sometimes eating.
Apart from this, adult Komodo dragons also sometimes show cannibalistic tendencies. Komodo dragons like to live and hunt alone. If a few Komodo dragons live in an area, the larger males eat first and the smaller males eat later. This is a hierarchy that they follow.
Scientific Name Of Komodo Dragon
The scientific name of Komodo Dragon is Varanus komodoensis and Komodo dragons have a poisonous bite that helps them hunt. Komodo dragons are also known to bite humans when threatened and the bite of Komodo dragons can be fatal. If you ever see a Komodo dragon, it is best to run because the venom of Komodo dragons is quite effective.
Even if a human escapes from the grip of a Komodo dragon, their bite is mostly fatal for us. The venom of Komodo dragons is very strong and can easily kill a buffalo. Komodo dragons have serrated teeth which are replaced frequently. Not only this, Komodo dragons can live without food and water for a long time.
Komodo dragons are the largest species of lizards on this earth. Komodo dragons have cannibalistic tendencies and they eat young Komodo dragons. Young Komodo dragons live in trees to avoid adult Komodo dragons for fear of being eaten.
Even though Komodo dragons are not preyed upon by any, it is believed that anacondas can kill these large monitors as anacondas are known to kill large lizards in their vicinity.
The Komodo dragon has serrated teeth and can kill humans as well. The venom of the Komodo dragon is powerful and can kill a human within a few hours of the bite. The saliva of the Komodo dragon contains many strains of bacteria that are extremely harmful to humans.
Habitat Of The Komodo Dragon
Wild Komodo dragons live in some Indonesian islands which are Komodo, Gili Montag, Flores, and Rinca are some of the islands where you will find these large lizards. This lizard species gets its name from the Komodo Island. Komodo dragons prefer to live in hot and dry places such as savannas, tropical forests, and grasslands are their living conditions.
Komodo dragons are found in the harsh climate of Indonesia. The habitat of Komodo dragons can range from the beach to the mountain tops and the harsh weather conditions of these small islands do not bother these giant lizards as they continue to thrive there. Some Komodo dragons can be seen in zoos around the world. Read- 12 Clumsy Animal Of The World Whose Actions Will Surprise
 |
| Komodo Dragon |
What Do Komodo Dragon Look Like
Komodo dragons are the largest lizards living on earth and can range from 7 to 9 feet in length. The largest Komodo dragons can sometimes grow up to 10 feet long. The Komodo dragon's skull protects its large head and their nose is large. The Komodo dragon's tongue is deeply forked and yellow in color.
Komodo dragons have tails as large as their bodies and many of them can stand on their hind legs with the help of their strong tails. Komodo dragons have serrated teeth and can be up to an inch long. Komodo dragons have scales on their bodies that serve as a shield for their bodies. These scales contain small bones and are called osteoderms.
These osteoderms come in four different patterns and perform different functions. But the rough nature of Komodo dragon scales makes them unsuitable for leather goods. Only adult Komodo dragons have osteoderms and these keep growing and changing throughout their lives.
The large claws of Komodo dragons help them in fighting and catching prey. The ears of Komodo dragons are not very powerful which limits their hearing ability. Komodo dragons can see up to about 1000 feet but their vision is weak at night.
The tongue of Komodo dragons is the main source of experience as they use it for both smell and taste. With the help of this tongue, Komodo dragons can detect rotten meat from a distance. Komodo dragons have a habit of tilting their heads from side to side while walking.
Size Of Komodo Dragon
Male Komodo dragons are larger in size than female Komodo dragons and female Komodo dragons are 90 inches long while male Komodo dragons are more than 100 inches long. Male Komodo dragons also weigh more than female Komodo dragons and the Komodo dragons kept in zoos weigh more than the wild Komodo dragons.
The largest Komodo dragon ever recorded in the world was 10 feet long and its body weight was around 166 kg. Adult Komodo dragons weigh around 70 kg to 90 kg.
What Do Komodo Dragon Eat
Komodo dragons are carnivorous animals and eat meat. This is the main source of food for Komodo dragons. Through their extremely powerful sense of smell, Komodo dragons can smell meat from more than 5 miles away. Komodo dragons are also known to hunt small mammals and birds.
Komodo dragons can kill something as big as a water buffalo. Baby Komodo dragons mostly eat small lizards and snakes. Komodo dragons have a very interesting hunting habit. Komodo dragons fight and win their prey due to their great strength. Komodo dragons' teeth can bite the prey and their venom glands help them completely kill the prey.
Komodo dragons are venomous and if left untreated, a Komodo dragon bite can cause death. A Komodo dragon can eat 80% of its body weight in one meal and does not need to eat frequently. The strongest males eat first. Then the less strong males and females eat.
How Komodo Dragon Reproduce
The reproductive cycle of Komodo dragons is very complex and interesting as the male Komodo dragons fight among themselves to win the attention of the female. The winner gets the chance to approach the female Komodo dragon and mating is like a ritual for them. The females give off a scent that attracts the males to them.
When a male Komodo dragon is attracted to a female he licks her body as a mating offer. If the female licks him back they begin the mating process. After the mating is over the female Komodo dragon lays 30 eggs and then buries them in the soil and waits for the newly born young to come out after eight months.
Some years ago it was thought that Komodo monitors can only reproduce through mating. But recently it was revealed that the females of this species can lay eggs without the interference of the male. This process is called parthenogenesis. But it has been observed that the offspring produced through this process are all males.
But being able to give birth through parthenogenesis gives them an evolutionary edge. This may help them overcome the population problem one day. Female Komodo dragons reach reproductive age at 9 years while males reach reproductive age at 10 years. This is the age where they are ready to find a mate and begin their reproductive cycle.
How Long Do Komodo Dragon Live
The lifespan of Komodo dragons in the wild is about 30 years. But even when living in zoos, Komodo dragons have a lifespan of at least 30 years but they are known to live much longer than that. Scientists are still studying the lifestyle of Komodo dragons to gather more information about their life cycle. Read- Top 12 Different Types Of Black Birds With Pictures
 |
| Komodo Dragon |
How Fast Can Komodo Dragon Run
Komodo dragons are not very fast but Komodo dragons are known to run short distances. Komodo dragons can run up to 20 per hour. But Komodo dragons only run short distances. Komodo dragons are also good climbers and can climb trees and rocks. Komodo dragons are also great swimmers and can move very fast in the water.
How Komodo Dragon Communicate
Komodo dragons communicate through body language and Komodo dragons cannot make loud sounds but they do hiss loudly when they feel threatened. Komodo dragons are known to fight among themselves for food and during mating.
Male Komodo dragons fight among themselves for food and dominance over females. Komodo dragons’ sense of perception mostly comes from their incredible tongue that helps them smell and taste. Komodo dragons mostly depend on their keen sense of smell to survive.
How Many Komodo Dragon Are There In The World
There are about 5,700 Komodo dragons present in the world and the IUCN has listed the Komodo dragon as vulnerable in its list. The main threat to the Komodo dragon is the loss of habitat due to excessive deforestation and poaching by humans.
Fire set in the forest or poisoning the water by poachers to drive away prey is also a reason behind the endangerment of the Komodo dragon. Loss of prey through poaching is also a reason why the Komodo dragon species is on the verge of extinction.
Deforestation for relocation and agriculture has left many of them without a home and poaching of their primary prey- deer has also proved fatal for them. Komodo dragons are found only in the forests of five islands of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia where several steps have been taken for their conservation. Thus Komodo dragons are found in the forest only in a restricted area.
Komodo Dragon Behavior
Komodo dragons are dangerous animals and unlike some smaller lizard species, they are not meant to be cute. Komodo dragons are large with sharp teeth and claws for hunting. Komodo dragons are also very strong and dangerous and it is scary and dangerous.
Even though Komodo dragons are popular as exotic pets for crazy people, it is best not to keep Komodo dragons as pets. Komodo dragons are well behaved in zoos but they also have a tendency to bite which makes them poor pets.
Komodo Dragon Facts For Kids
1. Who will eat Komodo dragons?
Adult Komodo dragons are apex predators but juvenile dragons are preyed upon by adult Komodo dragons, wild dogs, wild boars, civet cats, and snakes.
2. Are Komodo dragons venomous?
Komodo dragons are venomous and have venom glands in their lower jaw that produce a deadly cocktail of toxins, which help immobilize prey.
3. What is the largest lizard in the world?
The largest lizard in the world is the Komodo dragon and it is a species of monitor lizard that lives in the islands of Komodo, Rinka, Flores, Gili Dasami and Gili Motang in Indonesia.
4. What animal kills Komodo dragons?
Komodo dragons are considered cannibalistic animals which means that they are known to kill and eat each other. Also, baby Komodo dragons can be eaten by birds, snakes, large rodents and other Komodo dragons.
5. Can a human survive a Komodo dragon?
Attacks on humans are rare but this animal has been responsible for several human deaths both in the wild and in captivity.
6. Why are Komodo dragons special?
The Komodo dragon is known as the largest lizard species in the world. Female Komodo dragons grow over 6 feet long and males grow up to 10 feet. The large size of Komodo dragons and their mouths with 60 pointed teeth make them excellent at hunting their food, which is only meat.
7. Are Komodo dragons friendly towards humans?
Komodo dragons are mostly not friendly to humans and avoid them if possible but Komodo dragons will attack if provoked or feel threatened.
8. What is the lifespan of a Komodo dragon?
Komodo dragons live for about 30 years in the wild but Komodo dragons can live much longer in captivity which can reach up to 30 years.
9. Can tourists see the Komodo dragons?
One can only visit the Komodo dragon islands accompanied by a national park ranger and equipped with a large, Y-shaped stick that can be used.
10. How many Komodo dragons are left in the world?
There are about 5,700 Komodo dragons left in the world and the IUCN has listed the Komodo dragon as vulnerable on its list.