Lizard eats like a dinosaur: Often dubbed as a living dinosaur, the Komodo dragon is a formidable predator that commands respect and awe. This colossal lizard, the largest in the world, is a sight to behold. With its massive size, powerful jaws, and venomous bite, it's no wonder it's earned its fearsome reputation.
Komodo dragons are found only on a few Indonesian islands, including Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. Their isolated habitat has allowed them to evolve into apex predators, dominating their ecosystem. These prehistoric-looking creatures primarily feed on deer, wild boar, and water buffalo. However, they are opportunistic feeders and have been known to attack humans as well.
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) belongs to the monitor lizard family Varanidae. It is the largest lizard species in the world, growing up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length and weighing about 135 kg (300 pounds). The Komodo dragon's large size and predatory habits have made it an ecotourist attraction, which has encouraged efforts to protect this endangered species.
Komodo dragons reproduce mostly through sexual reproduction, but females isolated from males can produce offspring through parthenogenesis. They dig burrows as deep as 9 meters (29.5 feet) and lay eggs that hatch in April or May. The newly hatched young, about 45 cm (18 inches) long, live in trees for several months.
Adult Komodo dragons are known to eat smaller members of their own species and sometimes even other adults. They can run swiftly and occasionally attack and kill humans. Although they prefer carrion, they often wait along game trails to ambush live prey such as pigs, deer, and cattle. Their venomous bite delivers toxins that inhibit blood clotting, causing rapid blood loss and shock in their victims. Some herpetologists believe that the physical trauma of the bite and the introduction of bacteria from the Komodo dragon’s mouth to the wound also play roles in weakening and killing prey. Komodo dragons often find their prey in the process of dying or shortly after death.
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