A Komodo Dragon Life

The Komodo lizard is a large lizard of Indonesian islands. This intimidating looking lizard can reach nearly 10 feet in length! This large unusual animal weighs around 150 pounds at adulthood and is, of course the largest lizard known to man. The komodo dragon was only discovered in the early 1900's. While the komodo is not quite endangered, it's official status is "vulnerable" and they are a protected species under Indonesian laws. While these dominant creatures will usually eat carrion they also hunt for food. They sometimes hunt birds, mammals and invertebrate creatures. Once they have caught their meal they eat it by tearing hunks of flesh, then swallowing them whole. They can almost eat their weight in a single meal. They then drag their large bodies into a nice sunny, warm spot to help digest the meal. He vomits up the indigestible parts such as horns and teeth. In the komodo's saliva is a harmful bacteria which leads to septicemia in a bite victim and even causes gangrene to a human if precautions aren't taken. He can survive on only 12 meals per year due to a very slow metabolism. The Komodo has a reputation to be feared. They are definitely a match for man too. The Komodo is a member of the monitor lizard family and a popular zoo attraction. This dragon may have actually breathed fire in ancient times.

This lizard has terrible hearing and can only hear certain pitches. He can see for almost a thousand feet, so vision probably makes up for lack of hearing. Night vision is poor however. The Komodo dragon uses it's tongue for both tasting and smelling as do most in the lizard family. The tail is very strong and can disable large prey. Their walk is rather clumsy looking. As the komodo dragon stomps around his head swings back and forth. They prefer heat and are out and about mostly during the daylight hours. This creature is sometimes nicknamed land crocodile or refereed to as the only living dragon.

The komodo dragons lifespan is twenty to forty years and mature in five years. they spend much of their time alone but occasionally enjoy meals together in groups. Their mating process is still a bit of a mystery but they are known to lay 20-25 eggs at a time. Incubation is eight or nine months. When it is time to mate the males will wrestle each other for the females benefit. The battle can get bloody and the loser runs away or just lies there, still and submissive. Population in the wild is thought to be between three and five thousand dragons.
www.komododragon.biz/KomodoDragonFactSheet
www.draconian.com/dragons/komodo-dragon.php