Komodo dragons are largest lizards in the World

Komodo dragons are the biggest, massive lizards in the world and one of the few with a poisonous bite. The secrecy and powerful hunters depend on their sense of smell to detect food, using their long, forked tongues to sample the air. They can spend hours waiting for a sizable meal to wander within range before launching a deadly attack with their large, curved and serrated teeth.

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It is the largest living lizard in the world. The largest verified specimen reached a length of 10.3 feet (3.13 meters) and weighed 366 pounds (166 kilograms). The largest wild dragons more typically weigh about 154 pounds (70 kilograms). They live on 4 island of Indonesia: Komodo, Flores, Rinca and Gili Motang.

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These animals are very old (exist for millions of years), but they are discovered 100 years ago, when plane accidentally landed on the island. Komodo dragons got their name by the island where they are found - Komodo Island. They are listed as "vulnerable" because human activity and natural disasters reduced their number significantly in the past century.

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The period between May and August is when you might be lucky enough to witness the fierce fighting of rival komodo dragon males. During this time - which is the komodo dragon mating season – the large dominant males will fight each other intensely over females and territory.

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Interesting Facts:

• They are carnivores (meat-eaters) who like to eat pigs, deer, snakes, fish and water buffalos. Adult komodo dragons are cannibals (eat their own species) and 10% of their diet is made of newly hatched Komodo dragons.

• They can eat prey that weighs 80% of their own weight. Unlike other animals, they will eat bones and hooves.

• Komodo has forked tongue (like snakes). It uses its tongue to detect a prey by smell. They can locate the prey that is 4 miles away using their sensitive tongues.

• They usually hunt during the day because they don't see well during the night. Other than that, Komodo has poor sense of hearing.

• Komodo dragons have reddish saliva that contains 50 different types of bacteria. Only one bite induces blood poisoning of their prey.

• Komodo dragons often fight with other dragons. They bite each other during the fight, but unlike other animals, they are immune to bacteria from their saliva.

• Komodo dragon can run 13 miles per hour.

• Since they are cold-blooded animals, they spend much time on the sun to heat themselves. During rainy season, they will hide in their burrows to prevent heat loss.

• Komodo dragons are great swimmers. They can swim from one island to another.

• Even without partners, female Komodo dragon can produce eggs. This type of reproduction is called asexual reproduction.

• When threatened, Komodos can throw up the contents of their stomachs to lessen their weight in order to flee.

Content Source
National zoo
Softschools.com
Komodotravellers.com

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