Komodo Dragons

This section showcases some draconic-related (in name and appearance) reptiles alive today.

Basilisk Lizard | Bearded Dragon | Chinese Water Dragon
Eastern Water Dragon | Flying Dragon | > Komodo Dragon

.. Komodo Dragon ..

The Komodo Dragon.
by Jared Diamond

1. Komodo dragons are the world's heaviest living lizards.

2. They can grow to a length of 10 feet (over 3 meters), with an average length of 8 feet (2.5 meters) and weight of 200 lbs (91 kg). Females are usually under 8 feet and weigh about 150 lbs (68 kg).

3. Keen sense of smell enables them to seek out carrion up to 5 miles (8.5 kilometers) away.

4. Despite their size, Komodos are fast and agile. They can climb trees and are good swimmers.

5. Teeth resemble those of flesh-eating sharks. They have about 60 teeth that they replace frequently, and are positioned to cut out chunks of their prey. The highly flexible skull allows for swallowing large pieces of food.

6. The Komodo's mouth is full of bacteria. Even if its prey survives the original attack, it will die of infection later.

7. Are native to four southeastern islands of Indonesia: Flores, Gili Motang, Komodo and Rinca. They have also been found on the island of Padar.

8. The natural habitat of Komodo dragons is extremely harsh by human standards - arid volcanic islands have steep slopes and little available water most of the year.

Komodo Dragon.
Wallpaper by Smithsonian National Park

9. Outsiders found out about the Komodo dragons after WW1 when a report came from a downed aircraft, and the surviving pilot swam to Komodo Island.

10. In the wild, Komodo dragons are generally solitary, except during the breeding season.

11. They have been known to bring down adult water buffalos.

12. Will eat anything they can overpower including small dragons and small or injured humans (dragons make up to 10% of their diet).

13. An eyewitness account revealed that a 101 lb (46 kg) dragon ate a 90 lb. (41 kg) pig in 20 minutes. In comparison, a 100 lb. person would have to eat 320 quarter pound hamburgers in less than 20 minutes to keep up with the dragon.

14. In some zoos, Komodos are fed previously frozen rats.

15. Life expectancy of a Komodo is between 20 to 40 years.

16. Juveniles are multi-hued, (yellow, green, brown and gray), with speckled skin. Adult colors vary from earthen red to slate gray and black.

17. Are Endangered. Wild Population: 3,000 to 5,000.

References:

> The Honolulu Zoo
> Akron Zoo
> Smithsonian National Zoological Park

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