The Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon is the King of the Lizard species. It is the biggest and heaviest living lizard in the world. They have long flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs and huge muscular tails. The yellow color of the Komodo Dragon's forked tongue reminds people of dragons from fairy tales!

Although most lizards are omnivores, the Komodo Dragon is a dedicated meat eater. They want meat and will use their long tongues to smell the air if a meal is nearby. The Komodo is not a picky eater, it will kill and eat wild pigs, deer, buffalo, even snake and fish that wash up on shore. Smaller dragons and humans have also been eaten by the Komodo Dragon.

The Komodo Dragon will follow a prey who has been bitten by his sharp teeth. Dragon saliva has over 50 different kinds of bacteria that will eat and kill the prey, and the Komodo Dragon will slowly follow his meal for miles. It can eat an amazing 80 percent of its body weight (that's 264 pounds!!!) in a single meal!!!

The Komodo Dragon is an ENDANGERED SPECIES. There are only 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo Dragons in the islands of Komodo, Gila Motang, Rinca and Flores. Here are some reasons why this gigantic lizard is endangered:

1. Few female dragons - There are only 350 female dragons who can lay eggs. Studies are being done to find out why the majority of new dragons being born are male.

2. Natural disasters - Volcanic activity, earthquakes and fire have all been causes of several deaths of the Komodo Dragon.

3. Poaching - Many years ago, the Komodo Dragon was killed "for fun" and for displaying on the walls of the hunters. Scientists were also responsible for having Komodo Dragons taken from their environment so that they could be studied.

4. Human disturbance - People disturb the natural habitat of the Komodo Dragons and hunt the smae food that dragons need to survive.

Komodo Dragon Fast Facts
Scientific Name: Varanus Komodoensis
Type: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore
Height: 10 feet
Weight: 330 pounds
Range: islands of Indonesia
Diet: meat, meat and more meat!

To solve a jigsaw puzzle of the Komodo Dragon, click on the image or here.