A rare SE Asian monitor lizard (Varanus komodoensis), native to the islands of Komodo, Flores, Pintja, and Padar (Indonesia); the world's largest lizard (length, up to 3 m/10 ft); climbs and swims well; inhabits grassland; often kills pigs and deer; capable of killing an adult water buffalo; occasionally attacks and kills people; also known as Komodo lizard or ora.
|
?Komodo dragon Conservation status: Vulnerable |
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
|
Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912 |
The Komodo dragon or Komodo Monitor (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard in the world, growing to an average length of 2-3 meters (approximately 6.5-10 feet).
Sightings of the Komodo dragon were first reported to Europeans in 1910. Komodo dragons also have a tail that is as long as the body, as well as 52 serrated teeth that can be 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in length.
Ecology and behavior
Komodo dragons are found exclusively in Indonesia, on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, Flores, and the Sunda Islands. Komodo dragons are largely solitary, coming together only to breed and eat. Komodo dragons can run in brief charges, and can also swim and climb trees proficiently through use of their large claws.
For shelter, dragons dig holes that can measure from 3-6 feet wide (0.9-1.8 meters wide). Komodo dragons usually live for 25-30 years.
New research using DNA analysis and other techniques at the University of Melbourne questioned conventional wisdom and suggests that Komodo dragons and many other lizards are indeed venomous (or have venom-producing genes) and properly belong to a "venom clade" called Toxicofera.
Diet and feeding
Komodo dragons are carnivorous. Komodo dragons have not traditionally been considered venomous, but recent research has shown that they do in fact produce venom (Fry et al., 2006). Unlike snakes, which deliver venom through hollow fangs, the venom of Komodo dragons and other Varanids pools around the teeth and is delivered when the lizard attacks.
In addition to the Komodo dragon's venom, they also have virulent bacteria in their saliva, of which more than 15 strains have been discovered. Komodo dragons appear to be immune to these bacteria. Komodo dragons eat by tearing large chunks of flesh, and holding it down with its forelegs, and swallowing it whole.
The Komodo dragon's prey is wide ranging, and includes insects, smaller reptiles, birds and their eggs and chicks, small mammals, wild pigs, goats, deer, macaques, horses, and water buffaloes.
Conservation status
The Komodo dragon is a vulnerable species and is found on the IUCN Red List. There are approximately 6,000 living Komodo dragons. Young Komodo dragons generally spend their first few years living in trees where they have a greater chance of survival. Komodo dragons take around three to five years to mature, growing to 2 metres in length, and they can live for up to 30 years.
In captivity
Komodo dragons have long been desired animals for zoos, where their size and reputation makes for a popular exhibit.
Dragons are also capable of recognizing individual humans. With some individual animals aside, dragons appear to be very intellegent lizards capable of peaceful interaction with humans, warranting future behavioral studies.
Media
Videos of Varanus komodoensis at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Varanus komodoensis #1 (file info) Varanus komodoensis #2 (file info) Varanus komodoensis #3 (file info) Problems seeing the videos? On a living Komodo dragon Varanus komodensis Ouwens, exhibited at the Scientific Meeting, October 23rd, 1928. Listed as Vulnerable (VU B1+2cde v2.3) The Komodo Dragon by Claudio Ciofi, Scientific American (March 1999) Woodland Park Zoo Komodo Dragon Central Discovery of venom in monitor lizards Whozoo Animal Planet file|
Two komodo dragons |
|||
|
Komodo dragon at Taronga Zoo |
User Comments Add a comment…