Komodo dragon

Komodo dragon
Temporal range:
PlioceneHolocene,[1]
Male at the Cincinnati Zoo
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[3]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: Varanus
Species:
V. komodoensis
Binomial name
Varanus komodoensis
Ouwens, 1912[4]
Komodo dragon distribution

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. It is the largest extant species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 m (9.8 ft), and weighing up to 70 kg (150 lb).

As a result of their size, Komodo dragons are apex predators, and dominate the ecosystems in which they live. Komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals. Komodo dragons' group behavior in hunting is exceptional in the reptile world. The diet of Komodo dragons mainly consists of Javan rusa (Rusa timorensis), though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion. Komodo dragons also occasionally attack humans.

Mating begins between May and August, and the eggs are laid in September; as many as 20 eggs are deposited at a time in an abandoned megapode nest or in a self-dug nesting hole. The eggs are incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in April, when insects are most plentiful. Young Komodo dragons are vulnerable and dwell in trees to avoid predators, such as cannibalistic adults. They take 8 to 9 years to mature and are estimated to live up to 30 years.

Komodo dragons were first recorded by Western scientists in 1910. Their large size and fearsome reputation make them popular zoo exhibits. In the wild, their range has contracted due to human activities, and is likely to contract further from the effects of climate change; due to this, they are listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List.[2] They are protected under Indonesian law, and Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to aid protection efforts.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference aust was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Jessop, Tim; Ariefiandy, Achmad; Azmi, Muhammad; Ciofi, Claudio; Imansyah, Jeri & Purwandana, Deni (2021). "Varanus komodoensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22884A123633058. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T22884A123633058.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Appendices". CITES. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  4. ^ Ouwens, P. A. (1912). "On a large Varanus species from the island of Komodo". Bulletin de l'Institut Botanique de Buitenzorg. 2. 6: 1–3. Retrieved 6 March 2017.