To listen to this article, please select Control + Shift + Z to launch the pop-up player.
A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Images and Resources A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Images and Resources A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Images and Resources
Your Ad Here

Animals >>

Komodo Dragon


 Add to Phobia Filter  Contribute  Print  Listen
Komodo Dragon
Komodo Dragon
Komodo Dragon
Komodo Dragon
Komodo Dragon
The komodo dragon, also known as the giant monitor lizard, is the largest species of lizard in the world.The komodo dragon inhabits the rainforests of Southeast Asia, and the komodo dragon is native to just a few islands in Indonesia that are part of the Komodo Island National Park. Fossil evidence however, suggests that the komodo dragon once had a much larger habitat but this has been severely decreased due to deforestation.

Komodo dragons are completely dominant predators in their environment, and are named by the locals as the land crocodile due to their large size and habit of eating seemingly anything that the komodo dragons can find.

The komodo dragon has an exceptional sense of smell meaning that the komodo dragon is able to hunt out its prey up to 8 km away, when aided by the wind blowing in the right direction.

Recent discoveries have revealed that the komodo dragon is indeed venomous, and does not kill its prey through lethal bacteria, as previously thought. However, once the damage the komodo dragon can do coupled with the fact that the saliva of the komodo dragon is known to carry more than 50 different strains of bacteria, means that any animal that manages to survive the attack of a komodo dragon, is extremely likely to die of infection.

The komodo dragon hunts anything that comes into contact with the komodo dragon, including its own eggs! Generally komodo dragons are not known to actively hunt humans, but the komodo dragon is known to be one of the man-eating animals in the world, as it is not uncommon for the komodo dragon to attack and eat humans that get in its way.

To hunt their prey, komodo dragons rely heavily on their camouflage in the long grass and great patience as the komodo dragons sit and wait for prospective prey to pass. When a meal ambles past the komodo dragon, the komodo dragon uses its thick, powerful legs to spring out of its hiding place. The komodo dragon then uses its sharp claws and serrated teeth to capture its meal before then eating it.

Due to the fact that the komodo dragon is an apex predator in its limited environment, the komodo dragon will often live to more than 30 years of age. The main exception to this is the side effects that occur due to deforestation and areas where there is a lack of food for the komodo dragon to hunt.

Today there are thought to be around 3,000 komodo dragon individuals left in the wild with less than a third of them being female komodo dragons that are of the age to breed. The komodo dragon has always been under threat from humans that destroy the habitat of the komodo dragon or quickly kill the komodo dragon when they come into contact with them.

Your Ad Here

Komodo Dragon Comments (17)

kelly clarkson

"i have to write a report on this animal and it give me good imformation"

Jezza

"this is the best website in the world for information about komododragons"

Tyler

"Wow now I am sure to get an A+ on my Reptile Slide Show. Great website I'll recommend it everwhere!!!!!!! "

Showing 3 of 17 comments.

Show More Comments

Post Comment

Your Name:

Article Rating:

Your Comment:


Article Tools

Print Article
View printer friendly version of Komodo Dragon article.
 
Listen to Article
Listen to audio version of Komodo Dragon article. Hot key: CTRL key + Shift key + Z key

Komodo Dragon Facts

Kingdom:
A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....
Animalia
Phylum:
A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....
Chordata
Class:
A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....
Reptilia
Order:
A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....
Squamata
Family:
A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....
Varanidae
Genus:
A level of classifying animals within a family. Families are divided into sub-groups called genus which generally contain one or two animal species....
Varanus
Scientific Name:Varanus Komodoensis
Type:Reptile
Diet:Carnivore
Size:2-3.1m (6.6-10.3ft)
Weight:70-166kg (150-366lbs)
Top Speed:18km/h (11mph)
Life Span:25-30 years
Lifestyle:Solitary
Conservation Status:
The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...
Threatened
Colour:Grey, Brown, Green
Skin Type:Scales
Favourite Food:Monkeys
Habitat:
The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...
Arid and steep volcanic islands
Average Litter Size:10
Main Prey:
When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....
Monkeys, Deer, Insects
Predators:
When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...
Human
Special Features:Enormous body and tail and sharp teeth and claws

Related Animals

Bearded DragonBearded Dragon
Can grow to up 24 inches long!
IguanaIguana
Uses visual signals to communicate!
LizardLizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Monitor LizardMonitor Lizard
Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!
GeckoGecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
ChameleonChameleon
There are more than 160 different species!
Gila MonsterGila Monster
It's tail acts as a fat storage facility!

 

Sammy Sheep's Shop

Wild Bunch Giraffe

Wild Bunch Giraffe

£12.99

Free UK Shipping!
Buy Now!
Wild Adoptable Monkey

Wild Adoptable Monkey

£13.99

Free UK Shipping!
Buy Now!
Daphne the Giraffe

Daphne the Giraffe

£5.99

Free UK Shipping!
Buy Now!
Jade the Elephant

Jade the Elephant

£5.99

Free UK Shipping!
Buy Now!
Wild Adoptable Lion

Wild Adoptable Lion

£13.99

Free UK Shipping!
Buy Now!