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Komodo
Komodo
dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a large lizard species found only on a few
islands in the Indonesian archipelago. It was first known to the world in the
First World War. Komodo is actually a species of ‘Monitor Lizard’ which has
grown on the island that was isolated for millions of years, which has caused
its body grow so large. Komodo is not only the largest lizard in the world, but
is also one of the most aggressive and powerful animal that he was able to hunt
prey that has size more than its size itself. However, the existence of komodo
dragons are now in danger of extinction due to loss of their natural habitat,
poaching, and also a decline in the number of their food.
Komodo
dragons are large reptiles that can grow up to three meters long and weighing
150kg. They are very strong with a stocky body, legs and a strong tail that is
used for hunting and fighting. Komodo has a long and sharp claws that are
curved and often used to dig soil. Komodo also has a greyish brown leather
covered small scales and folds around the neck. Komodo has a head that is
relatively small compared to the large body size and wide, powerful jaws that
hides her mouth filled with deadly bacteria. Although komodo dragons have good
eyesight, they tend to rely on odor perceived through long-branched tongue. By
removing the tongue out, komodo dragons are able to feel the scent particles in
the air to hunt for prey at a distance of up to 8 km. Komodo is known to have
fifty types of toxic bacteria in its saliva. Toxic saliva will serve as the
main weapon of komodo dragons to hunt their prey. The poisonous saliva is
produced by the venom glands present in the mouths of dragons.
Komodo is only found in five islands
in Indonesia which are all included in the Komodo National Park. The five
islands are Komodo, Rintja, Gillimontang, Padar and the western tip of Flores
Island. In all the five islands, the Komodo dragon is often seen in open
forests with dry savanna, on the hillside groves, and can also be found
inhabiting a dry riverbed.
Komodo is a solitary
predator which has strong surf territory up to 2 km per day depending on its
size. They are also known as an excellent swimmer, traveling from one island to
another with relative distance away. Even though they are solitary animals, an
unknown number of dragons will often gather together. When hunting prey,
dragons can quietly hide for hours in the vegetation and is well camouflaged by
the skin of gray to wait for the prey to pass. Komodo then suddenly attacks the
prey with speed and incredible strength. The first attack if komodo dragons
usually only hurt their prey with a few bites. Its prey usually will be able to
escape. However, due to very deadly bacteria in the mouth of komodo dragons,
the prey will die within 24 hours.
When the breeding season comes (in
September), male komodo dragons will fight with another males. Fighting is done
by standing on their hind legs and propped up by their tails, to win the right
to breed with local females. After mating, the female dragons lay up to 25 eggs
in a hole its has dug in the soft sand. The eggs will break after incubation
period lasts between 8 and 9 months and they will be completely independent
when they leave their shells. However, the pups will stay and spend most of
their time on the tree until they are big enough to take care of themselves on
the ground. Komodo tend to live for an average of 30 years in the wild.
Komodo dragons are carnivores that hunt down and kill
large animals to survive in the surrounding natural habitat. Komodo dragons are
capable of killing prey much larger than their own bodies. For larger prey,
komodo dragons usually only ambush and hurt the body of their prey with a bite
that is filled with bacteria. Komodo then follow their prey until it dies due
to the deadly bacteria of the mouth of dragons. Large mammals as the preys
hunted by komodo dragons are wild pigs, goats, deer and even horses and
buffalo. In addition, komodo dragons also hunt for small animals in trees such
as snakes, lizards and birds. Komodo’s sharp and jagged teeth make them could
not chew. They rip their prey carcasses by pulling back into their mouth and
then swallow whole aided by their flexible neck muscles instead.
n fact, komodo dragons are
the most dominant predators in the environment habitat. Therefore adult komodo
dragons have no natural predators in their natural habitat. Komodo is a
cannibal animal. Adult Komodo dragons will devour smaller and vulnerable ones.
Thus, the young komodo dragons usually spend most of their time in trees to
avoid the larger adult komodo dragons. The biggest threat for komodo dragons
come from the loss of habitat due to human development for settlement and
farming. Komodo is also threatened by volcanic activity on the islands that are
still geologically active which can cause a decrease in their prey species,
which in turn affects the komodo dragon populations themselves.
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