- Common Name:
- Komodo dragons
- Scientific Name:
- Varanus komodoensis
- Type:
- Reptiles
- Diet:
- Carnivore
- Average Life Span In The Wild:
- Up to 30 years
- Size:
- 10 feet
- Weight:
- 330 pounds
- IUCN Red List Status:
- Endangered
- Current Population Trend:
- Unknown
What is the Komodo dragon?
Reaching up to 10 feet in length and more than 300 poundsKomodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have longflat heads with rounded snoutsscaly skinbowed legsand hugemuscular tails.
Habitat
Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. They prefer the islands’ tropical forests but can be found across the islands. Though these athletic reptiles can walk up to seven miles per daythey prefer to stay close to home—rarely venturing far from the valleys in which they hatched.
Reproduction
Once a yearwhen they’re ready to matefemale Komodo dragons give off a scent in their feces for males to follow. When a male dragon locates a femalehe scratches her back and llicks her body. If she licks him backthey mate. Males also sometimes wrestle one another to earn mating rights. Pregnant females then lay about 30 eggswhich they bury in the earth until they hatch eight months later.
When there aren’t any males aroundfemale Komodo dragons have other means of reproducing: As they have both male and female sex chromosomesfemale dragons can reproduce asexually in a process called parthenogenesis.
Diet
As the dominant predators on the handful of islands they inhabitKomodo dragons will eat almost anythingincluding carriondeerpigssmaller dragonsand even large water buffalo. When huntingKomodo dragons rely on camouflage and patiencelying in wait for passing prey. When a victim ambles bythe dragon springsusing its sharp clawsand serratedshark-like teeth to eviscerate its prey.
Feeding
The Komodo dragon has venom glands loaded with toxins that lower blood pressurecause massive bleedingprevent clottingand induce shock. Dragons bite down with serrated teeth and pull back with powerful neck musclesresulting in huge gaping wounds. The venom then quickens the loss of blood and sends the prey into shock.
Animals that escape the jaws of a Komodo will only feel lucky briefly. Dragons can calmly follow an escapee for miles as the venom takes effectusing their keen sense of smell to home in on the corpse. A dragon can eat a whopping 80 percent of its body weight in a single feeding.
Threats to survival
While asexual reproduction does allow female Komodo dragons to replenish their population—an evolutionary advantage—it has a significant drawback: This reproduction process only results in sons. The dearth of other females within a population has led to evidence of inbreeding. The reptile’s reluctance to stray far from home exacerbates the issue as the species’ population declines and fragments.
Humans have also posed a threat to the Komodo dragon’s survival. People have burned the Komodo dragon’s habitat to clear it for other useswhile poachers target this reptile and its prey. Touriststoooffer food handouts and disrupt the dragons’ mating process—which led the government of Indonesia to consider a temporary closure of Komodo Islandone of several on which they’re foundto tourism. But tourists are also important to conservation effortsas the economic boost they provide incentives to locals to help protect the Komodo dragon.
Conservation
In 1980Indonesia established Komodo National Park to protect the Komodo dragon and its habitat. This 700-square-mile refuge is also home to species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl and Timor deeras well as a rich marine environment supporting whalesdolphinssea turtlessharkscoralsspongesmanta raysand more than a thousand species of fish. Now a UNESCO World Heritage siteKomodo National Park has established patrols to prevent poaching. It also works with local communities to build awareness of the species and the importance of protecting it.