Komodo Dragon: The Ultimate Guide

In this article on the Komodo Dragon, we will try to elucidate a maximum of mysteries concerning the famous varan. We are going to bring answers to a multitude of questions on this one, such as :

Its origins
Its physique
Its dangers
The Komodo Monitor remains one of the most fascinating and fantastic living creatures of our time, discover it through our “Ultimate Guide”. I wish you a good reading.

Komodo Dragon Origin

They are as charismatic as orangutans, tigers or pandas, but the future of the Earth’s biggest lizard is uncertain. The Komodo dragon, (Varanus komodoensis), is the biggest lizard species on the planet, this reptile is part of the Varanidae family. Also called Komodo monster and Komodo varan, it is found on the Komodo island and on some nearby Sunda Islands (Insulinde archipelago), in central Indonesia. ?

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Popular interest in the large size and predatory habits of this particular lizard has allowed this endangered species to become an ecotourism attraction, which has, fortunately, encouraged its protection. However, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Komodo dragon is currently in a “vulnerable” conservation status. ?

These large lizards range in color from black to grayish-yellow, depending on their location, and have rough, durable skin reinforced with osteoderms (bony plates) that protect them from injury due to scratches and bites. The Komodo dragon also has a large muscular tail and long, powerful claws. It reminds us of the mythical dragons that spit fire. ?

Komodo Dragon History

Where do they come from? Although they are famous for having inhabited the Indonesian island of Komodo and the surrounding islands, the Komodo dragon made its debut in Australia. According to fossils, Komodo dragons moved from Australia to the islands of Indonesia, arriving on the Flores island about 900,000 years ago. According to the paleontologist and environmentalist Tim Flannery, the Komodo dragon disappeared from Australia about 50,000 years ago, a disappearance that coincides with the arrival of humans on the continent. ?

Komodo Dragon Habitat

What does their habitat look like? They are quite rare creatures and are only found in the wild on five islands: the Komodo islands Minor Probe, Rinca, Gili Montang and Gili Dasami, all located in the Komodo National Park, and on the Flores island, where they move freely. They are able to continue to thrive in conditions that are not suitable for other creatures or humans. Many of them are in captivity, in zoos, because they attract large crowds. ?

The region where the Komodo dragon lives must be arid for them to thrive. They can live in the forest or open Savannah and do best in temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius every day. The area where this lizard lives in the wild is dry all year round, except during the monsoon season. These reptiles need water to survive, and have the ability to store water when it rains, or when they enter the water to swim. When their bodies become too hot, they excrete salt instead of water. ?

Komodo Dragon Population

There are about 6,000 living Komodo dragons on this date. Their populations are limited to the Lower Sunda Islands of Indonesia, including the islands of Komodo (1,700), Rinca (1,300), Gili Motang (100) and Flores (possibly 2,000), according to estimates by the World Animal Foundation. Komodo dragons first appeared outside Indonesia in 1992 at the Washington National Zoological Park. The zoo reports that four litters have hatched and 55 young now live in more than 30 zoos around the world. ?

Komodo Dragon Physical Description

Komodo Dragon Skin Color

– Adults are gray or clay-colored; the young are more colorful, with lighter, mottled skin.
– Females and males are similar in color, although females have more red on their flanks.
– The yellow forked tongue is one of their specific characteristics.

Komodo Dragon Smell

– This is its primary food detector, it can detect carrion up to a distance of 5 km.
– Odorous particles from the air are collected by the forked tongue and brought to the palate (Jacobson’s organs) where signals are generated and sent to the brain.

Komodo Dragon Vision

– Retinas have only conical cells that can detect color, but are weak in subdued light.
– It can see up to a distance of 300 meters. Very useful in hunting to detect the movements of its targets.

Komodo Dragon Hearing

– The Komodo dragon is not deaf, but it does not depend as much on sound as on smell.
– It can only hear a narrow range of frequencies.

Komodo Dragon Size

This Komodo dragon can reach a total length of 3 meters (the average is 2 meters). The females are smaller and measure up to 1.8 meters long. These proportions are data collected in captivity. The physical characteristics of the Komodo dragon are impressive. Among the 5,600 species of lizards, the Komodo dragon is the largest in the world. Because of the size and aggressiveness of the Komodo dragon, there are stories and legends about them in many cultures. The size of the Komodo dragon plays a major role in the food chain. ?

These reptiles (not extinct) are the most spectacular in terms of size and they still exist in the world today. They are so big that they are called mythical giants. These impressive creatures are unique in many ways. However, the size of the Komodo dragon is certainly its most obvious physical feature. At full maturity, once on its hind legs its size is much larger than the average human size (5.61 ft) in the world. Moreover, they dominate the eco-system in which they live thanks to their imposing size. ?

Komodo Dragon Weight

With an amazing average weight of 200 pounds, these lizards are real monsters. This makes the Komodo dragon slightly heavier on average than humans (although well below the American average of 183). They are therefore much bigger than the other lizards, which weigh about 50 pounds. These huge weights are only averages. The biggest Komodo dragon measured reliably weighed 365 pounds! This is more than the weight of a standard refrigerator. Males tend to become larger and bulkier than females. The pups weigh less than 0.22 ounces. Their first years are precarious, and they are often victims of predators, including other Komodo dragons. At 5 years old, they weigh about 50 pounds. At that time, they begin to hunt larger prey. They continue to grow slowly throughout their lives. ?

The weight of the Komodo dragon is sometimes reported to be even higher than this. This is due to another amazing ability of the Komodo dragon. Their stomach dilates easily when they eat. This allows them to eat up to 80% of their weight in one meal! Imagine almost doubling your weight after eating a big Christmas meal. This extreme weight gain slows them down considerably. As a result, they vomit their stomach contents when threatened. This allows him to quickly escape from predators when needed. This is one way to manage a feeding coma. The Komodo dragon is not only big but also muscular. This contributes to their massive weight. Although they are definitely the largest lizards in terms of weight. ?

Komodo Dragon Venom

The team of the youtube channel “Animal Planet” observes Komodo dragons hunting in the wild during a visit to the island of Rinca in Indonesia. They then demonstrate the effect of the powerful venom on a piece of raw meat. The experiment takes place at 5 minutes and 25 seconds. The goal is simple, to compare the bacteria and toxins present in the mouth of the human to that of the reptile, after the bite, they will come to settle and contaminate the meat during 3 days. The result is deadly hallucinating. ?

The Komodo dragon is one of the few lizards with a venomous bite. These stealthy and powerful hunters rely on their sense of smell to detect food, using their long forked tongues to sample the air and detect smells and flavors. Each end of the tongue captures molecules belonging to the prey and transfers them to a sensory organ in the mouth, which marks the path to be followed. ?

Another reason why these creatures are so fascinating is that they are immune to their own poisons. The reason for this is unknown, but members of their species are themselves protected from the venom of their fellow creatures. Scientists are investigating the possibility of finding antibodies in the blood of the Komodo dragon that could be responsible for this. The saliva of the Komodo dragon is toxic, its prey often dies from its wounds, even if it manages to escape despite the bite, it often succumbs from the infection of its wounds. ?

The Komodo dragon is thought to have evolved from the great reptiles of the genus Varanus, which roamed the Earth more than 200 million years ago. Many experts wonder why this species is one of only two to produce poison. They rarely need to capture live prey directly, because their toxic sting releases toxins that inhibit blood clotting.

Some herpetologists point out that the physical trauma of the bite and the introduction of bacteria from the mouth of the Komodo dragon into the wound also play a role in the diminished vitality and death of the prey. Because they are not in a hurry once the toxin is inoculated, Komodo dragons often find their prey dying or soon after death. ☠

Its venom, among other things, reduces blood pressure, some compounds being as powerful as those found in the most venomous snake, the Taipan (Western Australia). The venom of a Komodo dragon seeps into the wounds it inflicts on any unfortunate animal it attacks. The animal can escape the dragon’s grasp, but it will not escape the venom that will eventually cause it to fall.

The Komodo Dragon’s Bite Force

We know that the komodo dragon lizard is a robust and powerful beast, and in the video below, Steve Backshall (an English naturalist) who in his mad quest, seeks to add a reptile to his list of the “60 deadliest predators” in the world. And what could be better than going to Indonesia to find the biggest lizard on earth. He is going to use a device that will be used to measure the power of the komodo dragon’s jaw, to finally deduce how dangerous the bite is. The experiment starts at 1 minute and 25 seconds. ?

Steve is interested in the bite of the komodo dragon because lizards in general are not known for the power of their jaws. He decides to measure his own bite first to get an idea of the comparison between the lizard and himself, the result is 8.4 kg/cm². ⚖

The komodo lizards do not make themselves wait, curious and hungry, with the smell of blood emanating from the meat, they hasten to shred the meat ? by biting the measuring device. Steve honors their tails which for him, would serve as a defensive weapon by comparing it to a baseball bat. During the experiment at 2 min and 48 seconds, one of the komodo dragons demonstrates on one of his companions. ? Very impressed by the result of the power of the reptile’s jaw which is 42 kg/cm², surpassing 5 times that of humans. ?

Dragon Komodo Attack

The komodo dragon has an incredible sense of smell. Experts estimate that they are able to smell up to six kilometers away if the wind is blowing in the right direction, making it easy for them to find their prey. The combination of their speed of movement, powerful teeth and infallible venom makes them almost always victorious. They can run fast and occasionally attack and kill humans. They often wait along the beaten path to ambush passing pigs, deer and cattle. ?

Komodo dragons have very good vision, they can see their prey at a distance of up to 300 meters. They are also very fast, although they don’t need to be. In spite of their robust appearance, they can run briefly at a speed of 20 km/h. But they prefer to hunt stealthily, waiting for hours for their prey to cross their path. It is a very patient animal and its victims often fall under the yoke of their attacks. The video below is a perfect example of the determination of the Komodo dragon, sensitive souls abstain. ?

It is the komodo dragon that would have inspired the creation of the emblematic monster of the Godzilla cinema. They are known to fight to establish their dominance or to attract the attention of females. And while they generally prefer deer for dinner, they are also known to attack and eat humans, as well as other large animals, such as monkeys. ?

Is Komodo Dragon Dangerous To Humans

Komodo dragons have shark teeth and toxic venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite. However, the villagers who have lived for generations (Komodo Island) next to the largest lizard in the world were not afraid, until the dragons started to attack. The stories quickly spread to this small tropical archipelago in southeast Indonesia, the only place where endangered reptiles can still be found in the wild. Two people were killed in 2007, a young boy and a fisherman, and others were seriously injured after being attacked without provoking the lizards. ?

Komodo dragon attacks are still rare, experts note. But fear is swirling in fishing villages, as are questions about how best to live with dragons in the future. A 46-year-old forest ranger was doing paperwork when a dragon slipped down the stairs of his wooden hut in Komodo National Park and attacked his ankles that were dragging under the desk. When the ranger tried to open the beast’s powerful jaws, the beast pushed its teeth into his hand, he says. ??

“I thought I wouldn’t survive… I spent half my life working with the Komodo dragons and I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the man, showing his gashes torn apart, sewn with 55 stitches and still swollen three months later. “Luckily, my friends heard my screams and got me to the hospital in time”. We can assume that the Komodo dragon’s behaviors are quite unpredictable, he is a born hunter and predator, because of his physical abilities, he doesn’t hesitate to attack bigger than him, if you are in his presence, or at least not very far away, stay on guard and at a good distance. ⚠️

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What Eat Komodo Dragon

To sum up, the Komodo dragon’s diet is rich and very varied, it includes wild pigs, goats, deer and water buffalo. In the wild, it has also been observed to eat other smaller dragons. It is known that they sometimes eat humans and human corpses. More than a dozen human deaths have been attributed to bites in the last century, although there are reports of survivors of the resulting septicemia. Few people survive to tell how they escaped the Komodo dragon. ?

You understand that his favorite meal, being carnivorous, is meat. He can ingest the equivalent of 80% of their weight in meat, which is incredible compared to humans. It is better not to cross his path and not to underestimate him. ? In the food chain, the only being above and potentially life-threatening to him is the human being. ?En In addition to hunting large mammals, the Komodo dragon feeds on its own species, they cannibalize the small ones. In captivity, the Komodo dragon eats rodents, chicks and rabbits. From time to time, it eats fish and beef carcasses.

Komodo Dragon Reproduction

The Komodo dragon is a solitary creature that lives in isolation, except for mating which takes place from time to time during the dry season, between May and August (the only time when you will have the chance to witness the fierce fighting of rival males). The males compete with each other for the chance to mate with the females. The female will generally develop a visually enlarged abdomen and will start emitting pheromones that will act as signals to the males. ???

A couple during their lovemaking, I find that they lack a bit of privacy. ?

Komodo Dragon Mating

During the mating period of the Komodo dragon, the large dominant males fight intensely for the females and their territory. This often occurs when they gather on a carcass to feed. The blood, generally, flows and the loser ends up running away or freezing on the spot as a sign of abdication and abandonment. Before the mating season, females see a number of their eggs develop yellow in a process called vitellogenesis. Did you know that the komodo dragon was famous for its loyalty? Indeed, they are also known to form couple bonds, and even remain monogamous with their partner, which is rare… in lizard species. ?

As with many reptiles, the number of female Komodo dragon nesting females that nest each year often changes, due to the availability of prey and the physical condition of the female. In the wild, females do not reproduce every year. During these “resting” years, they recover energy costs incurred by their bodies for egg production during the fertile years.

Baby Komodo Dragon

At birth, baby Komodo dragons are only 30 centimeters long. As soon as they hatch, the young run away and climb trees to avoid being eaten by their mother or other Komodo dragons. The life of a young Komodo dragon is not easy. It is true, adults consider the young ones as easy meals. Fortunately for babies, adults are too heavy and clumsy to climb trees.

At the age of 4 years old and at about 4 feet tall, young Komodo dragons come down and live on the ground, according to the San Diego Zoo. Those that survive can expect a long life. A Komodo dragon has an average lifespan of 30 years. The eggs are incubated for 7 to 8 months and hatch in April of the following year, when insects are abundant. About 20 eggs are laid in September and are deposited in abandoned nests of megapods: medium-sized, stocky, bird-like hens with small heads and large feet. ??

The mother of the newborns will also try to protect her future young from possible dangers, she will create false nests to lure and deceive potential predators to keep her eggs safe. Then, the incubation of her komodo dragon eggs, which are the size of a grapefruit, will last about three months. This group of eggs, called a brood, will eventually hatch and new beings will see the light of day. In its youth, the claws will be used to climb trees. ?

What is out of the ordinary is that females can have “virgin births” (Parthenogenesis). This means that they do not need a male to fertilize an egg for it to hatch. The creation of offspring without the help of the opposite sex is called “asexual reproduction”. Komodo dragons can reproduce both sexually and asexually. According to the Smithsonian Institute, which manages the Washington National Zoological Park, there is no evidence that the parents care for the newborns. Knowing that they reach maturity at around 5-7 years of age. ?

Komodo Dragon Symbolism

Komodo Dragon Meaning

In this case, the symbolism of the Komodo dragon heralds a time of new adventures and journeys, both physical and spiritual. These new experiences will help you direct your creative forces toward the future. Therefore, the meaning of the Komodo dragon, like the painted turtle, lets you know that any seeds you sow today will reap great rewards in the future. It is also imperative that you take the time to look inward and be clear about your intentions and goals. Thus, the symbolism of the Komodo dragon also reminds you that these changes will be lasting. In other words, decide where you want to go and then take action.

Komodo Dragon Totem

People with the Komodo dragon totem pole have a highly developed survival instinct and can function with very little means. They know how to make quick decisions to act quickly. People with this spirit animal totem pole will rarely miss an opportunity. This way, they always stay focused and finish their projects and goals. These people also have great self-confidence in almost everything they undertake. In addition, they are passionate about life and are not afraid to go it alone if necessary.

Komodo Dragon Dream Meaning

When you have a dream of a Komodo dragon, like the cheetah, it means that you need to be more flexible in your thinking and decision making. You may also be able to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you now. Your agility and discretion will help you get what you want. In other words, go for it! If not, this giant reptile could symbolize real fear. This fear is also manifested by negative results in your attempts to reach your goals. You need to dig for the source and deal with it. From time to time, this large reptile will appear in your dreams to signal that you are missing an opportunity. In other words, you are dismissing something as irrelevant when it could be everything you are looking for.

Komodo Dragon Facts

Komodo Dragon Can Swim

When you look at the size and length of a Komodo dragon, full of muscles, moving around on land, you don’t think about the fact that it’s a natural, innate swimmer. However, Komodo dragons, like most other reptiles, are experienced swimmers. They can swim for hours and have been spotted many miles offshore, sometimes to change islands. ?

Komodo Dragon Love Playing

Although they are very scary to watch, these predators are known to be very playful in captivity. Captive specimens have been seen playing with everyday objects such as shoes and shovels, or toys such as Frisbee and ropes. A study was conducted on a captive dragon called “Kraken” at the Smithsonian Zoo, after it began acting strangely towards zoo employees. He was observed pulling on shoelaces with his teeth, or gently removing objects from people’s pockets. ?

The zoo employees decided to bring objects into its enclosure, such as boxes, blankets, shoes and frisbees. The reptile also liked to play tug-of-war with the keepers. The observed behaviour was interpreted as a game, as Kraken did not show any aggression and did not do it for a feeding reward. The Komodo dragon was also able to learn commands, such as walking towards a healer when he whistled, and to understand that it was time to eat when a healer wore brightly colored gloves. ?

George H W Bush Received A Komodo Dragon As A Pet

The 41st President of the United States, halfway through his four-year term, receives a male Komodo dragon named Naga from the Indonesian government. Despite the temptation to let him loose in the Oval Office, he decided to donate it to the Cincinnati Zoo. Naga lived to the ripe old age of 24, and sired more than 32 little baby Komodo dragons. He was one of the main attractions at the Cincinnati Zoo, receiving one million visitors a year, and he even went on tour as a conservation officer in 1995. ?

Young Komodo Dragons Roll In Dung

There is a simple and vital reason for this, and that is that adults are anything but picky and don’t think twice before devouring their own offspring. Until they are old enough to fend for themselves, young Komodo dragons stay away from hungry adults by taking refuge in trees, where they become agile predators that climb branches. But this is not always enough. When close encounters are imminent, the juveniles make themselves as unappetizing as possible by rolling in dung, and even the most voracious Komodo dragon can’t stand it. ?

Komodo Dragons Teeth Grow Back

In the mouth of a Komodo dragon, there are about 60 short, sharp teeth designed to cut and tear the flesh. They look like shark teeth and have been compared to those of an extinct saber-toothed cat. A Komodo dragon passes through four or five sets of teeth during its life. They eat extremely fast, consuming 2 to 3 kg of meat per minute is child’s play for them. ?

Is Komodo Dragon Endangered Species ?

The Komodo dragon is a unique and rare species. They live only on a few Indonesian islands, called the Small Sunda Islands. The largest population is on the island of Komodo. The populations are however in decline. The IUCN classifies this animal in the category of vulnerable species. This is due in part to farmers who poison carrion to kill these predators. Their limited range also puts them in great danger of extinction. It is estimated that there are only 6,000 Komodo dragons in the wild. This exceptional and endangered species deserves protection and respect. Efforts to protect these animals continue in Indonesia and in the zoos that keep these lizards in captivity, by going to visit them, you participate too. ?

Although they have been hunted (legally and illegally), their population decline is due to their limited range. No Komodo dragon has been seen on Padar Island since the 1970s as a result of widespread poaching of deer, the main source of prey for the reptile. The Komodo National Park, established in 1980, and strict anti-poaching laws have helped protect them, although illegal activities still occur. Villagers sometimes poison carrion bait to reduce the population, much like ranchers in the American West poison sheep carcasses to rid the area of coyotes and mountain lions. The Dutch colonial government put protection plans in place as early as 1915.

We are slowly but surely coming to the end of this article, there are still a lot of facts and stories about the Komodo dragon that we haven’t explored, however, every good thing comes to an end. Before you leave, if you like this kind of creature, you will surely like what we offer in our dragon store, take a little tour there young dragon, you will find for example beautiful kimonos. ?

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