The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard in the world. Up to 3 meters in length and around 100 kg are possible. In addition, Komodo dragons are among the few lizards in the world with poison glands. Hatchlings live well protected in trees. Adult Komodo dragons are ground-dwelling ambush hunters and scavengers. Thanks to their venom glands, they can also take down large prey such as maned deer. With their forked tongues, dark eyes and massive bodies, the giant lizards are a fascinating sight. But the last giant monitors are threatened. There are only a few thousand specimens left on five Indonesian islands. The most famous island is Komodo, the Dragon Island.
In the article The home of the Komodo dragons you will find an exciting report about observing monitor lizards in their natural habitat. Here AGE ™ presents you with exciting facts, great photos and a profile of the imposing monitor lizards.
Nature & animals • Animal lexicon • Reptiles • Lizards • Komodo Dragon • Diashow
The riddle of the dragon's saliva
- How does a Komodo dragon kill? -
Dangerous Bacteria?
An outdated theory holds that dangerous bacteria in the Komodo dragon's saliva are deadly to prey. The wound infection causes sepsis and this leads to death. However, studies have shown that the bacteria from the saliva of large lizards are also found in other reptiles and carnivorous mammals. Presumably, they are ingested when carrion is eaten and are not used for killing. Of course, the infections also weaken the prey.
Toxins in saliva?
It is now known that toxins in the saliva of the Komodo dragons are the real cause of why the prey dies promptly after a bite wound. The anatomy of the teeth of Varanus komodoensis gives no indication of the use of poison, which is why its poisonous apparatus has obviously been overlooked for a long time. In the meantime it has been proven that the Komodo dragon has poison glands in the lower jaw and the ducts of these glands open between the teeth. This is how the poison gets into the saliva of the monitor lizards.
The solution to the riddle:
Adult Komodo dragons are stalkers and are very effective at killing. They wait until a prey comes near them unnoticed, then they rush forward and attack. Their sharp teeth tear deeply as they attempt to tear down prey, snap at the shackles, or slit open its belly. The high blood loss weakens the prey. If she can still escape, she will be pursued and the victim will suffer from the toxic effects.
The toxins cause a strong decrease in blood pressure. This leads to shock and defenselessness. The bacterial infection of the wounds also weakens the animal if it lives long enough for this. Overall, an evolutionarily perfectly developed hunting method. Effective and with a low energy expenditure for the Komodo dragon.
Are Komodo dragons dangerous to humans?
Yes, the giant monitors can be dangerous. As a rule, however, humans are not viewed as prey. Unfortunately, however, there were occasional unfortunate deaths among local children. Tourists who wanted to take close-ups and selfies have also been attacked by Komodo dragons. The animals must never be pushed and a proper safety distance is mandatory. However, most of the animals in Komodo National Park appear calm and relaxed. They are by no means bloodthirsty cannibals. Nevertheless, the fascinating and sedate-looking dragons remain predators. Some show themselves to be very attentive, then greater caution is required when observing.
Nature & animals • Animal lexicon • Reptiles • Lizards • Komodo Dragon • Diashow
Komodo Dragon Characteristics - Facts Varanus komodoensis
Systematics | Class: Reptiles (Reptilia) / Order: Scale reptiles (Squamata) / Family: Monitor lizards (Varanidae) |
Species name | Scientific: Varanus komodoensis / Trivial: Komodo Dragon & Komodo Dragon |
characteristics | Sturdy build / tail about as long as head and torso / forked tongue / strong claws / coloring gray-brown youthful drawing dark with yellow spots and bands |
Height Weight | Largest living lizard in the world! up to 3 meters / up to 80 kg (in the zoo up to 150 kg) / male > female |
Way of life | rural, diurnal, loner; Young animals living on trees, adults on the ground |
Living Space | savanna-like grasslands, wooded areas |
Nutrition | Young animal: insects, birds, small lizards e.g. geckos (active hunting) Adult: carnivor = carnivores (ambush) & scavengers & cannibalism poisonous saliva helps take down large prey such as wild boar and maned deer |
Reproduction | Sexual maturity: females at around 7 years / males at around 17kg. Mating: in the dry season (June, July) / typical comet fights among males Oviposition: usually once a year, rarely every 2 years, 25-30 eggs per clutch Hatching: after 7-8 months, sex not dependent on incubation temperature Parthenogenesis possible = unfertilized eggs with male offspring, genetically very similar to the mother Generation length: 15 years |
Life expectancy | Females up to 30 years, males over 60 years, exact life expectancy unknown |
distribution area | 5 islands in Indonesia: Flores, Gili Dasami, Gili Motang, Komodo, Rinca; about 70% of the population lives on Komodo & Rinca |
Population size | approx. 3000 to 4000 animals (as of 2021, source: elaphe 01/21 of the DGHT) approx. 1400 adults or 3400 adults + juveniles without arboreal hatchlings (as of 2019, source: IUCN Red List) 2919 on Komodo + 2875 on Rinca + 79 on Gili Dasami + 55 on Gili Motang (as of 2016, source: Loh Liang information center on Komodo) |
Protection status | Red List: Vulnerable, population stable (Assessment August 2019) Washington species protection: Annex I / VO (EU) 2019/2117: Annex A / BNatSCHG: strictly protected |
AGE ™ has discovered Komodo dragons for you:
Where can you see Komodo dragons?
Wild Komodo dragons are only found in Indonesia on Komodo, Rinca, Gili Dasami and Gili Motang of the Komodo National Park, as well as in individual areas of the west and north coast of the island of Flores, which does not belong to the national park.
The photographs for this specialist article were taken in October 2016 on the islands of Komodo and Rinca.
Fabulous:
Dragon myth
Fairy tales and legends with fantastic dragon beings have always fascinated mankind. The Komodo dragon cannot breathe fire, but it still makes the hearts of kite fans beat faster. The largest living lizard in the world developed 4 million years ago in Australia and reached Indonesia about 1 million years ago. In Australia the giants have long been extinct, in Indonesia they still live today and are dubbed “the last dinosaurs” or “the dragons of Komodo”.
Observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat: The home of the Komdo dragons
Nature & animals • Animal lexicon • Reptiles • Lizards • Komodo Dragon • Diashow
Enjoy the AGE ™ Image Gallery: The Komodo Dragon - Varanus komodoensis.
(For a relaxed slide show in full format, simply click on one of the photos)
Nature & animals • Animal lexicon • Reptiles • Lizards • Komodo Dragon • Diashow
Dollinger, Peter (last change October 16, 2020): Zoo Animal Lexicon. Komodo dragon. [online] Retrieved on June 02.06.2021nd, XNUMX, from URL:
https://www.zootier-lexikon.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2448:komodowaran-varanus-komodoensis
Fischer, Oliver & Zahner, Marion (2021): Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) status and preservation of the largest lizard in nature and in the zoo. [Print magazine] Komodo dragons. elaphe 01/2021 page 12 to page 27
Gehring, Philip-Sebastian (2018): According to Rinca because of the monitor lizards. [Print magazine] Large monitors. Terraria / elaphe 06/2018 pages 23 to 29
Information in the visitor center on site, information from the ranger, as well as personal experiences during the visit to the Komodo National Park in October 2016.
Kocourek Ivan, translation from the Czech by Kocourek Ivan & Frühauf Dana (2018): To Komodo - to the largest lizards in the world. [Print magazine] Large monitors. Terraria / elaphe 06/2018 page 18 to page 22
Pfau, Beate (January 2021): elaphe Abstracts. Main topic: Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), status and conservation of the largest lizards on Earth.
Article series by Oliver Fischer & Marion Zahner. [online] Retrieved on June 05.06.2021, XNUMX, from URL: https://www.dght.de/files/web/abstracts/01_2021_DGHT-abstracts.pdf
Jessop T, Ariefiandy A, Azmi M, Ciofi C, Imansyah J & Purwandana (2021), Varanus komodoensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. [online] Retrieved on 21.06.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22884/123633058