Komodo dragons diet

Komodo dragons are endemic to the island of Komodo in Indonesia, and also on the neighbouring islands of Rinca and Flores. The Komodo dragon is the komodo dragons diet lizard in the world, komodo dragons diet, with a heavy-set body, stocky, bowed legs, and a long, muscular tail. They have a long, flat head with a rounded snout, and sharp, serrated teeth.

Reaching up to 10 feet in length and more than pounds, Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails. Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. Though these athletic reptiles can walk up to seven miles per day , they prefer to stay close to home—rarely venturing far from the valleys in which they hatched. When a male dragon locates a female, he scratches her back and llicks her body. If she licks him back, they mate.

Komodo dragons diet

The largest number are found on Komodo Island. At night the lizard is usually found in holes among rocks, caves, or between buttress roots of trees. Their heads are square in shape. Female : Are slightly smaller. Their heads are more triangular shaped. Weight : to pounds. Wild : Unknown. Medium sized dragons eat rats and birds. All begin eating carrion when they reach 3 feet approximately 1 year. Large adult dragons eat goats, pigs, deer, and smaller komodo dragons. They have been known to bring down horses and water buffalo. Zoo : Insects, mice, rats, rabbits, and prepared carnivore diet.

As ofthere were approximately 3, living Komodo dragons in the wild. They have not been seen on the island of Padar since the s.

Komodo Dragons are the largest extant lizard of the present day, and are known for their exceptional group hunting. They are apex predators with a carnivorous diet, known to be both scavengers and opportunistic hunters. They will eat any kind of meat that is easily available to them, but do have their preference too. Adult Komodo Dragons will mostly dine on carrion in the wild. They will pick the bones of any carcass they find, and have even been known to dig them up. But they are known to be very effective hunters too.

Komodo dragons possess resistance to the harmful bacteria found in the carrion they consume. Their serum has been found to contain innate immunity to many types of bacteria Merchant et al. Gene clusters encoding antimicrobial peptide genes have been identified van Hoek et al. Diet Opportunistic carnivores Harlow et al. Feeding Prey detection Varanids have snake-like tongues unlike most lizards, which have broad, flat tongues for food handling Tongue extended and moved up and down, sampling the air in front of mouth When retracted, carries odor molecules into mouth to the vomeronasal organs See Olfaction Lack tastebuds Prey capture Jaws close rapidly, enabling capture of fast-moving prey Prey is held, or sometimes thrashed, until movement ceases Small prey is swallowed whole, usually head first Large prey is sliced in pieces and devoured Venom-producing glands produce venom in Komodo dragon's saliva Auffenberg ; Fry et al. Illness Prevention Komodo dragons possess resistance to the harmful bacteria found in the carrion they consume. All rights reserved. Page Citations Auffenberg , Burden Fry et al. In each fact sheet, find detailed information by clicking on the tabs at the top of the page.

Komodo dragons diet

Reaching up to 10 feet in length and more than pounds, Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails. Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. Though these athletic reptiles can walk up to seven miles per day , they prefer to stay close to home—rarely venturing far from the valleys in which they hatched.

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The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced, serrated teeth that can measure up to 2. Most of the victims were local villagers living around the national park. Article Talk. Weight : to pounds. In Stephen P. Animals Photo Ark. At night the lizard is usually found in holes among rocks, caves, or between buttress roots of trees. Komodo dragons are apex predators. The influx of tourists has sparked much speculation and has raised the question of the safety of this glorious species and the environmental conditions of their habitat. Komodo dragons can live up to about 50 years. All rights reserved. Komodo National Park.

Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis : the largest living lizard in the world. Komodo dragons are the largest living lizard in the world, of over 3, lizard species. Females measure up to 6 feet in length and males measure up to 10 feet in length.

Archived from the original on 5 December Attacks on humans are rare, but Komodo dragons have been responsible for several human fatalities, in both the wild and in captivity. The tooth serrations hold bits of meat from its most recent meal, and this protein-rich residue supports large numbers of bacteria. Fry suggested that the dragon is armed with one of the most complex venom-delivery systems of any reptile. Animals How do fireflies get their glow? Several movable joints, such as the intramandibular hinge opens the lower jaw unusually wide. This lizard's large, curved and serrated teeth are its deadliest weapon, tearing flesh with efficiency. Each year, more than 18, people travel to Indonesia to visit sites that still have these animals. Lifespan Komodo dragons are thought to live about 30 years in the wild, but scientists are still studying this. Retrieved 8 November They face stiff competition for their main food source, Sunda deer from humans.