Kingdom animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class reptile
Order squamata
Family Variety
Gender Varanus
SpeciesVaranus komodoensis
The Komodo Dragon is considered the largest lizard in the world: it can reach three meters, and weigh up to 150 kilos. Inhabitant of the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Flores, in the Lesser Sunda archipelago, in Indonesia; is known for being an excellent swimmer and runner, for his robustness and skill when hunting. This is all made easier by using their strong claws and jaws.
As this reptile feeds on meat in a state of decomposition, it uses a characteristic strategy: it hides in the vegetation, waits for its prey and, when it finds it, knocks it down with its tail. After these steps, the dragon bites its victim. The high concentration of pathogenic bacteria and hypertensive and anticoagulant poisons contained in its saliva, within a few days, causes the animal's death. As it detects olfactory clues at great distances, it is able to find the corpse later on. The dragon is able to eat 80% of its body weight in a single meal.
The life expectancy of these animals is approximately fifty years, although most offspring do not reach adulthood. Eggs are laid in holes in the ground, hatching a little over a month later. The chicks usually spend the first years of their life on top of trees, as a strategy to avoid predation – including, and especially, adult males. Recently, it was discovered that Komodo females can also reproduce by parthenogenesis, that is: without the need to be fertilized by a male.
The Komodo dragon is currently in a vulnerable state of conservation, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is mainly due to the loss of habitats and food, due to human occupation; to the killings, motivated by the fear that the animal generates in people, and also for the sale of its skin. There are now approximately 5000 individuals of the species.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team
Vertebrates -Animals -Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/animais/dragao-de-komodo.htm
