THE KOMODO DRAGON
The Komodo dragon is the largest true lizard that is alive today. Related to monitor lizards, they can reach up to 3 metres in length. Also known as the Komodo monitor, the Komodo dragon lives exclusively on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintja, padar, Flores, Gill Mota and Oewada Sami to the north of Australia.
These small islands are all quite hilly and sparsely covered in rainforest. However, Komodo Dragons prefer hot, dry places, and typically live in dry, open grassland, savannah and tropical forest at low elevations.
As an ectotherm - an animal which gains its heat form its surroundings, it is most active in the day, although it exhibits some nocturnal activity. Komodo dragons are solitary, coming together only to breed and eat.
In common with most other reptiles, the Komodo dragon sleeps through the night, resting among tree roots or in sheltered caves or hollows among rocks. As the sun rises and and warms its blood, the Komodo dragon becomes more active and sets out in search for food.
Despite its great size, the Komodo dragon is an agile creature and moves quickly over the ground. It can out-pace a human in thick cover.
The Komodo dragon can sometimes take to the trees where it grips the the trunk and branches with its strong claws. The Komodo dragon likes water, and swims with forceful strokes of its long tail.
Despite being a solitary creature most of the time, when two Komodo dragons do meet, they follow an established pecking order, with a smaller dragon giving precedence to a larger and more aggressive one.
What does a Komodo dragon eat?
The adult dragon can move quickly, but only over short distances so it tends to hunt by ambush.
As soon as anything edible wanders into range, the Komodo dragon leaps out to seize the prey in its powerful jaws.
The Komodo dragon will also eat carrion, which it is able to locate by 'tasting' the air using its highly sensitive, forked tongue.
The young Komodo dragon is much more mobile than the adult and as such hunts actively, feeding on a range of small mammals, young birds and even insects.
The Komodo dragon grips its prey in its claws and jaws, then violently twists its head and body in order to tear off chunks of flesh, which it then swallows.
Komodo dragon reproduction
The Komodo dragon is the largest true lizard that is alive today. Related to monitor lizards, they can reach up to 3 metres in length. Also known as the Komodo monitor, the Komodo dragon lives exclusively on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintja, padar, Flores, Gill Mota and Oewada Sami to the north of Australia.
These small islands are all quite hilly and sparsely covered in rainforest. However, Komodo Dragons prefer hot, dry places, and typically live in dry, open grassland, savannah and tropical forest at low elevations.
As an ectotherm - an animal which gains its heat form its surroundings, it is most active in the day, although it exhibits some nocturnal activity. Komodo dragons are solitary, coming together only to breed and eat.
In common with most other reptiles, the Komodo dragon sleeps through the night, resting among tree roots or in sheltered caves or hollows among rocks. As the sun rises and and warms its blood, the Komodo dragon becomes more active and sets out in search for food.Despite its great size, the Komodo dragon is an agile creature and moves quickly over the ground. It can out-pace a human in thick cover.
The Komodo dragon can sometimes take to the trees where it grips the the trunk and branches with its strong claws. The Komodo dragon likes water, and swims with forceful strokes of its long tail.
Despite being a solitary creature most of the time, when two Komodo dragons do meet, they follow an established pecking order, with a smaller dragon giving precedence to a larger and more aggressive one.
What does a Komodo dragon eat?
The adult dragon can move quickly, but only over short distances so it tends to hunt by ambush.As soon as anything edible wanders into range, the Komodo dragon leaps out to seize the prey in its powerful jaws.
The Komodo dragon will also eat carrion, which it is able to locate by 'tasting' the air using its highly sensitive, forked tongue.
The young Komodo dragon is much more mobile than the adult and as such hunts actively, feeding on a range of small mammals, young birds and even insects.
The Komodo dragon grips its prey in its claws and jaws, then violently twists its head and body in order to tear off chunks of flesh, which it then swallows.
Komodo dragon reproduction
