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 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 Other Names: Komodo Monitor ecosystem and eats almost any meat available including young Komodo Dragons. However, they are a shy species and attacks on humans are rare. Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis 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 Conservation Status: Vulnerable on the prey’s size. The Komodo Dragon bites its prey, oozing venom from glands Extinct Threatened Least Concern located in its bottom jaw, which helps induce shock and stops the prey’s blood clotting. The prey usually dies quickly. EX EW CR EN VU NT LC 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. Body Length: up to 3 m 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. Weight: up to 70 kg Breeding Gestation: 7-8 months Breeding occurs between May and August. Males conduct vicious battles to claim Number of egg: about 20 females and territory. The winning Komodo Dragon flicks its tongue at the female to initiate courtship. Habitat: Dry, open grasslands and tropical forests Female Komodo Dragons can lay viable eggs without needing to mate with a male. Distribution: Indonesian islands of Komodo, This is known as parthenogenesis. It is thought that this ability helped Komodo Dragons start new populations on islands and other uninhabited areas. Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang Threats Komodo Dragons are only found on a few Indonesian islands. Between 2,500 and Komodo Rinca Flores Bali 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 Gili Motang 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.