Komodo Dragon

Komodo Dragons are the world’s largest lizards.  They were discovered less than 100 years ago on a small group of islands in Asia.  Local people call them “Ora.”  In the Indonesian language this means “the land crocodile.”  They are fast and powerful predators.

Physical Description

Komodo Dragons can reach over 10 feet in length and more than 300 pounds in weight.  They are brownish to gray in color with a long muscular tail.  They have thick strong legs, long sharp claws and armor-like scales.  Komodo Dragons have a forked tongue like other monitor lizards and snakes.  This gives them a great sense of smell.  These dragons also have very sharp teeth and powerful jaws.

Family Life

Mother Komodo Dragons lay a clutch or group of up to 25 eggs.  After 9 months the eggs hatch and the young are on their own.  The hatchlings have yellow and black stripes and spots.  These spots will turn to their adult color of brownish gray after about 5 years.  Young dragons spend most of their time in the trees to avoid predators.

Diet

Asian Water Buffalo, wild pigs, deer, snakes, lizards and rodents