Download Komodo Dragon

Komodo Dragon
Description
The Komodo Dragon is the largest lizard in the world today. It has sharp claws which
it uses to attack its prey, dig resting holes and fight other lizards. Its scales are dark
grey-brown. Although the Komodo Dragon cannot hear very well, its ears are visible.
Its tail is as long as its body.
Fast Facts
Diet
Other Names: Komodo Monitor
Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Extinct
EX
Threatened
EW CR
EN
Least Concern
VU
NT
LC
Body Length: up to 3 m
Weight: up to 70 kg
Gestation: 7-8 months
Number of egg: about 20
Habitat: Dry, open grasslands and tropical forests
Distribution: Indonesian islands of Komodo,
Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang
The Komodo Dragon is a carnivore that either scavenges for carrion or ambushes live
prey. It eats deer, water buffalo, birds and reptiles. It is the dominant predator in its
ecosystem and eats almost any meat available including young Komodo Dragons.
However, they are a shy species and attacks on humans are rare.
The Komodo Dragon has a mouth full of about 60 long, curved and serrated teeth.
When it ambushes its prey, it attacks either the legs, throat or belly first – depending
on the prey’s size. The Komodo Dragon bites its prey, oozing venom from glands
located in its bottom jaw, which helps induce shock and stops the prey’s blood
clotting. The prey usually dies quickly.
If prey manages to break free, the Komodo Dragon can track it for up to three days,
smelling the air with its long, forked tongue. They can smell meat up to 4 km away.
Eventually, when the prey dies, the Komodo Dragon tucks into its meal. However, it
usually has to compete with other dragons attracted by the scent.
Breeding
Breeding occurs between May and August. Males conduct vicious battles to claim
females and territory. The winning Komodo Dragon flicks its tongue at the female to
initiate courtship.
Female Komodo Dragons can lay viable eggs without needing to mate with a male.
This is known as parthenogenesis. It is thought that this ability helped Komodo
Dragons start new populations on islands and other uninhabited areas.
Threats
Bali
Komodo Rinca
Flores
Gili Motang
Komodo Dragons are only found on a few Indonesian islands. Between 2,500 and
5,000 dragons remain. They are hunted for the illegal pet trade or killed for body
parts. This has led to fewer large, egg-laying females. The poaching of their main
prey species (deer) and human encroachment on their habitat have also contributed
to them becoming a threatened species.
The Komodo National Park – which includes the islands of Komodo and Rinca – was
established in 1980 to protect the dragons and their habitat.
Distribution
At Perth Zoo
You can see Perth Zoo’s young male Komodo Dragon, called Raja, in the Asian
Rainforest, next to the otters. Visit the Komodo Dragon’s Australian relative, the
Perentie, in the Reptile Encounter at Perth Zoo
DID YOU KNOW?
After Komodo Dragons hatch, they are vulnerable
to being eaten by adult dragons. They scurry up
trees and stay there until they’re big enough and
return to the ground.