The Komodo Dragon is the only lizard I like. Maybe its because its the largest one found today but either way it's a pretty amazing creature. I was surprised to learn that they're endangered considering they're such massive reptiles that only live on small islands in Indonesia. The Komodo Islands are a national park specifically for the dragons. There's only about 5700 left in the wild and most of them are males which means they won't be around for a lot longer.
History
A crashed pilot first discovered the species during World War 1 when he swam to Komodo Island. Speaking of such a giant lizard not everyone believed him and it wasn't until 1912 that they were officially called a species. After expeditions to the island inspiration hit many and was the driving force to the movie King Kong.
Just How Big
Komodo Dragons are about ten feet long, and weigh about 150 pounds, however; in zoos they're usually heavier. Its tail is as long as its body and it has over sixty one inch teeth. The poor big guys can't see or hear too well but it can smell meat from about 6 miles away. As with most reptiles it uses its tongue to "smell" and relies on the tongue for most activities. The scales that cover its body even have some that are reinforced with bone!
Food and the Nasty Stuff
You don't need to be terrified of this dragon because most of its meals are carrion. It does eat fresh meat and has been seen charging and then eating its prey. Like a snake it can eat some of its meal whole. Only for larger prey does it tear the meat into smaller pieces to eat. Komodos are not picky when it comes to food, invertebrates, small mammals, buffalo, and even eats smaller komodos. About 10% of their diet are young komodos. Research has been done that speculates that eating so many young komodos help them become the giant lizard later in life. The villagers on the Komodo islands keep their cemetery in a clay base with rocks on top of the bodies because the dragons would come over and feast on the dead corpses. Since these dragons snack on dead things so often their mouths are full of bacteria making their saliva pretty interesting. Researchers have found 57 different strains of bacteria in the mouth of just one dragon. Not only is their saliva covered in bacteria but researchers have also discovered that the komodo dragon has venom glands in its lower jaw. The venom consisted of toxic proteins that would basically knock out its prey.
Sexy Time
About twenty eggs are laid around September, takes about a month for them to develop. As with most animals the males fight for their women, even vomiting and defecating before the big fight. I guess to get it out of the way. The loser gets pinned to the ground and the winner flicks his tongue, signaling to the lady he won. Nothing like sticking your tongue out at the girl you're going to get with. The male that wins the fight has to be tough because if not he could get hurt later from the female. The male has to fully restrain the female or else he could get injured. Sometimes the lizards will form a bond and will stay together which is extremely rare in lizards! Another rarity is the ability for the females to lay eggs without a male fertilization and give birth to male lizards. If you're really interested here is the first documented story of this. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2006/dec/21/uknews
Being a Kid
Being a young komodo is not easy. After breaking out of its egg its usually too tired to really run and many of them get killed by predators. Once they can make a run for it they spend most of their time in trees where adults can't get to them. In order to eat they often roll themselves in poop or intestines of the dead to hide their scent from adult komodos. Youngsters are on the look out for the first 3 to 5 years of their life. But once they make it that long, they can survive for about fifty years.
Wowzers
Komodo dragons can swim, maybe its just the monitor in them. They sometimes swim to different islands. They run pretty fast for a lizard, 12 mph. Lizards being speedy is probably why most terrify me so badly.
Why are Komodos Endangered?
You're now aware how badass these lizards are, if you don't they could even eat part of you! How are these lizards dying off then? Their prey is hunted not only by them but the local villagers as well. In addition to the villagers eating their food they also make more villages. Before certain laws were implemented poaching for komodo dragons also put a big dent in their population. Now their prey is poached and their habitat is decreasing. In addition to humans, volcanoes can get them too but hey, I think the volcano gets just about everybody.
What Should I Do?
Well, you've already done something because you read this and that means you care at least a little. If you go to this site you can buy a plushie and it helps save a lizard.
http://dragon-komodo.com/
Also go to your zoo, show their Komodo Dragon how you much love them! You can meet Sunny if you go to this link http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/dragons_are_real (warning: it's awesome and cute)
Many people don't know that Komodo Dragons are endangered, just wait until you find out who else is. So take care and have a heart!
