Komodo Dragon

On the Trail of the Komodo Dragon; And Other Explorations of Science in Action


Science is much more than a collection of facts. It's an adventure of discovery. Dr. Jack Myers, Senior Science Editor of Highlights for Children, opens the gate to the world of real science by showing scientists searching for the answers to: - How do cats purr?- Do horses really sleep standing up?- Can chimpanzees learn our language?- Do dogs really see in black and... More white?- How do you give a falcon a vision test?- How did wolves change into loving pets?- And many, many more questions.



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Recommended age: 7 to 9 years old.

Komodo dragons are also called Komodo monitors, or by the local Indonesian name, "ora." These giant lizards belong to the family Varanidae, which includes 52 species of monitor lizards.

Adult Komodos are mostly black, green or gray, with patches of yellow-brown or white. They reach 10 feet in length and more than 300 pounds, making them the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have a huge, muscular tail, flat head with rounded nostrils, scales, and strong bowed legs. Despite their size, the Komodo are agile and fast moving. They can climb trees and they are good swimmers.

Females are usually under 8 feet and weigh about 150 lbs.

The Komodo dragon have a keen sense of smell. With favorable wind, they can seek out prey up to 5 miles away.

They have about 60 teeth with jagged edges, resembling those of flesh-eating sharks. The flexible skull allows them to swallow large pieces of its food. The Komodos mouth is full of virulent bacterias and even if its prey survives the original attack, it will later die of infection.

Life span in the wild is estimated at up to 50 years. They have lived to more than 25 years old in captivity.

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The distribution of Komodo dragons is restricted to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintja, Padar and Flores. Padar does not have a permanent population. Komodo National Park makes up all islands except Flores.

The habitat of Komodo dragons is extremely harsh with arid and steep slopes, and little available water. A short monsoon season often produces local flooding.

The average annual temperature at sea level on Komodo island is 80F degrees. Komodo dragons live mostly in the lowlands, but have occasionally been found at heights up to 1,967 feet.

Picture by flydime

Komodo Dragons Rock ! Framed Panel Print

In the wild, Komodo dragons are generally solitary animals, except during the breeding season. Males maintain and defend a territory and patrol up to 1.2 miles every day day. The size of the territories depend on the size of the dragon. Feeding ranges extend further and may be shared with other males. They can occasionally swim from island to island over long distances.

The Komodo is carnivorous and cannibalistic and it has a prodigious appetite. It is primarily a scavenger. When hunting, Komodo dragons rely on camouflage and patience, lying in wait for passing prey. They will eat almost anything, including carrion, deer, pigs, smaller dragons, and even large water buffalo and humans (dragons make up to 10% of their diet). An adult Komodo can consume up to 80% of its body weight in one meal.

Animals that escape the jaws of a Komodo will only feel lucky briefly. Dragon saliva contain over 50 strains of bacteria. The prey usually dies of blood poisoning within 24 hours. Dragons calmly follow an escapee for miles as the bacteria takes effect.

A kill is usually shared by many Komodo dragons and very little is wasted.

Young dragons live in trees and eat insects, birds, eggs, small mammals and other reptiles.

Mating occurs at or around the feeding sites. In September, a clutch of 15 to 30 eggs is buried in a nest dug by the female dragon.

Hatchlings are about 15 inches and weigh 3.5 ounces.

They will emerge from the nest 8 or 9 months later and immediately climb up the nearest trees to avoid being eaten by the adults. They will only descend to the forest floor roughly a year later.

Juveniles are yellow, green, brown and gray.