Komodo dragons
The world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon is a powerful predator that lives on a few Indonesian islands. Venom in its bite helps weaken its prey.
- Lengte
- 2–3 m
- Gewicht
- 50–90 kg
- Levensduur in het wild
- 25–30 jaar
- Beschermingsstatus (IUCN)
- Bedreigd (EN)
Waarden zijn bij benadering voor volwassen dieren en verschillen per geslacht, ondersoort en populatie.
In één oogopslag
De belangrijkste feiten over Komodovaranen.
- Where does it live?It lives only in Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands: Komodo, Rinca, Flores and a few small islands.
- What does it eat?It is a carnivore.
- Behaviour and social lifeKomodo dragons mostly live alone, though several may gather at a large carcass.
- YoungThe female buries her eggs in the ground or in old nests.
Uitgebreid
In het kort
- The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard species.
- It lives only on Komodo, Rinca, Flores and a few small islands in Indonesia.
- It can hunt large animals such as deer and wild boar and also eats carrion.
- Glands in its lower jaw produce venom.
- The IUCN lists it as Endangered; climate change and habitat loss are the main threats.
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) can approach 3 metres in length, making it the largest living lizard. With strong legs, a long muscular tail, a forked tongue and serrated teeth, it is the top predator on its islands.
Where does it live?
It lives only in Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands: Komodo, Rinca, Flores and a few small islands. It uses dry savannas, open woodland and coastal areas. A large part of its population is protected in Komodo National Park.
What does it eat?
It is a carnivore. Young dragons eat insects, lizards and birds. Adults can hunt large animals such as deer, wild boar and water buffalo. It ambushes prey and wounds it with a powerful bite. Using its forked tongue to pick up scent traces in the air, it can find carcasses from far away.
Behaviour and social life
Komodo dragons mostly live alone, though several may gather at a large carcass. They rest in the shade or in burrows during the hottest hours. Young dragons spend much of their first years in trees to stay safe from adults.
Young
The female buries her eggs in the ground or in old nests. The young hatch after about 7–8 months and are independent. Female Komodo dragons have been documented producing young from unfertilised eggs without a male (parthenogenesis).
Conservation status
The Komodo dragon is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. Its very small range, the risk that rising sea levels will shrink its habitat, declining prey and human activity are the main threats.
Fun facts
- The venom in a Komodo dragon's bite is thought to increase blood loss and hinder clotting.
- It can eat a large fraction of its own body weight in a single meal.
- It is named after Komodo, one of the islands where it lives.
Goed om te weten
De belangrijkste punten.
- Keep away from wild animalsKomodo dragons can be dangerous to people too. In the national park, only walk with a guide and follow the rules.
Vergelijkbare dieren
Andere dieren uit dezelfde groep.
Respect voor de natuur, een sterkere toekomst
Wilde dieren beschermen is ieders verantwoordelijkheid.
Vind je een gewond of jong wild dier, raak het dan niet aan en waarschuw de plaatselijke natuurbeschermingsdienst. Meer kennis, meer bewustzijn.
- Respecteer natuurlijke leefgebieden
- Bekijk wilde dieren van een afstand
- Laat geen afval achter in de natuur
- Steun een duurzame toekomst
