Komodo dragons

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.