Komodo Dragon
When people hear the word Dragon, they begin to start picture huge flying beast with long tails, claws, sharp teeth and of course fire breathing from its mouth. Well, that is what a dragon may look like in movies and cartoons. But the dragon which we are looking at today cannot fly, breath fire nor does it takes away beautiful princesses in deep caves to be rescued by the Kings Knights. We are looking at a dragon known to many as the Komodo dragon.
What is a Komodo Dragon?
A question which has been asked countless of times. These dragons are actually lizards. Yes, the Komodo is a large species of lizard which is found on the Indonesia island of Komodo, hence the name Komodo dragon. There are many species of lizards which exist on earth. There are very large lizards like komodo and the Iguana and there are tiny Lizards such as Jaragua lizard and the Tiny Chameleon.
Komodo Dragons Habitat
If you want to get a nice view of these Lizards, you may have to Journey to Indonesia on one of the five islands where the Komodo lives. They can be found in Komodo, Gili, Montang, Rinca and Dasami. These four islands are within the Komodo National Park which is also a popular tourist spot. The lizards live in a mixed terrain of hills, forest and savanna grassland.
Komodo dragon Nesting/Gestation/Cannibalism
The female komodos will dig egg chambers in the month of September. They will lay up to 30 eggs in these chambers. The komodo's eggs are specially cared for by the mom as she covers the eggs with leaves to help with warmth and then lies over the nest to provide further warmth for the incubation. The Komodo will be warming these eggs for up to eight months before hatching. That is a very long gestation period for an animal from the Lizard family.
But baby Komodos are not safe as they face danger from island predators as well as adult Komodo Dragons. Komodo dragons are natural cannibals as they often consume other baby Komodos. But nature is not that cruel and gives baby komodos a chance of survival by allowing them to climb up in trees to spend the earlier part of their juvenile lives. The baby Komodos have sharp hooking claws which makes them ideal for tree climbing.
Komodo Dragons Diet
These beast will devour anything from an entire car to the passengers! Komodo dragons are not picky eaters and are very dangerous predators. Don't think that these dragons will be on the list of converted vegetarians any time soon. These animals are carnivores, meaning that their diet consist 99.9% times of meat They are such fierce hunters they can eat very large prey, such as large water buffalo, deer, carrion, pigs and even humans. They will also eat smaller dragons and they love dead carcasses.
The Komodo Kills Preys with Venom.
When the Komodo hunts its prey, it will puncture the preys flesh with a sharp teeth and inflict the venom from its mouth. Venom is made from glands in the lower jaws.
A question which has been asked countless of times. These dragons are actually lizards. Yes, the Komodo is a large species of lizard which is found on the Indonesia island of Komodo, hence the name Komodo dragon. There are many species of lizards which exist on earth. There are very large lizards like komodo and the Iguana and there are tiny Lizards such as Jaragua lizard and the Tiny Chameleon.
Komodo Dragons Habitat
If you want to get a nice view of these Lizards, you may have to Journey to Indonesia on one of the five islands where the Komodo lives. They can be found in Komodo, Gili, Montang, Rinca and Dasami. These four islands are within the Komodo National Park which is also a popular tourist spot. The lizards live in a mixed terrain of hills, forest and savanna grassland.
Komodo dragon Nesting/Gestation/Cannibalism
The female komodos will dig egg chambers in the month of September. They will lay up to 30 eggs in these chambers. The komodo's eggs are specially cared for by the mom as she covers the eggs with leaves to help with warmth and then lies over the nest to provide further warmth for the incubation. The Komodo will be warming these eggs for up to eight months before hatching. That is a very long gestation period for an animal from the Lizard family.
But baby Komodos are not safe as they face danger from island predators as well as adult Komodo Dragons. Komodo dragons are natural cannibals as they often consume other baby Komodos. But nature is not that cruel and gives baby komodos a chance of survival by allowing them to climb up in trees to spend the earlier part of their juvenile lives. The baby Komodos have sharp hooking claws which makes them ideal for tree climbing.
Komodo Dragons Diet
These beast will devour anything from an entire car to the passengers! Komodo dragons are not picky eaters and are very dangerous predators. Don't think that these dragons will be on the list of converted vegetarians any time soon. These animals are carnivores, meaning that their diet consist 99.9% times of meat They are such fierce hunters they can eat very large prey, such as large water buffalo, deer, carrion, pigs and even humans. They will also eat smaller dragons and they love dead carcasses.
The Komodo Kills Preys with Venom.
When the Komodo hunts its prey, it will puncture the preys flesh with a sharp teeth and inflict the venom from its mouth. Venom is made from glands in the lower jaws.
How Long Do Komodo Dragons Live?
Komodo dragons can take from 7-9 years to fully mature. If they are not hunted and killed by humans or other predators, they can live up to 30 ripe long years.
How Big Do Komodo Dragons Get?
Males and females of many species will carry different mass and, height or length. It is the same with the male and female species of the Komodo dragon. The table below depicts the full length and weight of both male and female Komodo dragons reaching the adult stage.
Komodo dragons can take from 7-9 years to fully mature. If they are not hunted and killed by humans or other predators, they can live up to 30 ripe long years.
How Big Do Komodo Dragons Get?
Males and females of many species will carry different mass and, height or length. It is the same with the male and female species of the Komodo dragon. The table below depicts the full length and weight of both male and female Komodo dragons reaching the adult stage.
Komodo |
Male |
Female |
Mass |
79-91 Kg |
63-73 Kg |
Length |
2.6 Meters |
2.3 Meters |
How Fast Can Komodo Dragons Run?
I am sure that if the komodo dragon was in a race with few other animals including us humans, it will definitely not come in last. The Komodo can travel at a top speed of 12 Miles per hour over a distance of 400 Meters. It may not be nowhere near a greyhound or cheetah, but it is enough to catch a few humans.
I am sure that if the komodo dragon was in a race with few other animals including us humans, it will definitely not come in last. The Komodo can travel at a top speed of 12 Miles per hour over a distance of 400 Meters. It may not be nowhere near a greyhound or cheetah, but it is enough to catch a few humans.
Komodo Dragon Endangered.
The Status of endangerment for the Komodo dragon is vulnerable. The Primary threat to this large lizard is loss of natural habitat and of course hunting. Human settlement has pushed many animals out of their natural habitat and the Komodo is no different. When it comes down to man and his devious hunting ways. The head of the Komodo makes a nice trophy for him. They are also hunted for their thick skins which are used to make a wide range of novelties.
Can Komodo Dragons Swim?
Just like their relative the crocodile. Komodo dragons are natural swimmers and swim pretty well. They can cruise from one island to the next in water at about 12-13 miles per hour.
Conservation Protecting the Komodo Dragon
Trade in Komodo dragons is prohibited under CITES. Protection from poaching is made easier by the dragon’s limited distribution; there is little human habitation on the islands where it occurs, and Komodo Island, the dragon’s stronghold, has been made a national park.
Komodo Dragons as Pets
This will not be a good idea. Komodo dragons are pretty cool, but are wild animals and pack venom which can easily affect any human even by mistake. They are vulnerable to endangerment and should be in environment where they are properly kept and cared for.
The Status of endangerment for the Komodo dragon is vulnerable. The Primary threat to this large lizard is loss of natural habitat and of course hunting. Human settlement has pushed many animals out of their natural habitat and the Komodo is no different. When it comes down to man and his devious hunting ways. The head of the Komodo makes a nice trophy for him. They are also hunted for their thick skins which are used to make a wide range of novelties.
Can Komodo Dragons Swim?
Just like their relative the crocodile. Komodo dragons are natural swimmers and swim pretty well. They can cruise from one island to the next in water at about 12-13 miles per hour.
Conservation Protecting the Komodo Dragon
Trade in Komodo dragons is prohibited under CITES. Protection from poaching is made easier by the dragon’s limited distribution; there is little human habitation on the islands where it occurs, and Komodo Island, the dragon’s stronghold, has been made a national park.
Komodo Dragons as Pets
This will not be a good idea. Komodo dragons are pretty cool, but are wild animals and pack venom which can easily affect any human even by mistake. They are vulnerable to endangerment and should be in environment where they are properly kept and cared for.
Komodo Dragon
RSS Feed
