Portal:Indonesia/AOTW/21, 2007

The Komodo Dragon is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2-3 metres. Komodo Dragons are a member of the monitor lizard family, Varanidae, and only inhabit the islands of Komodo, Rinca (or Rintja), Padar, Flores, Gili Motang, Owadi and Samiin in eastern Indonesia.

In the wild, large adults tend to weigh around 70 kilograms (154 pounds). Captive specimens often weigh more. The largest verified wild specimen was 3.13 metres (10 feet 3 inches) long and weighed 166 kilograms (365 pounds). Their saliva will frequently be blood-tinged, because their teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue and this tissue is naturally lacerated during feeding creating an ideal culture for the virulent bacteria that live in their mouths.

Komodo Dragons are carnivorous. Although they eat mostly carrion studies show that they also hunt live prey with a stealthy approach followed by a sudden short charge. When suitable prey arrives near its ambush site, it will suddenly charge at the animal and go for the underside or the throat. (Read more...)