Komodo dragon, or a full-called Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), is the world's largest lizard species that live on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara. This iguana by the natives of Komodo island is also called by local names ora. Including family members Varanidae monitor lizards, and Toxicofera klad, dragons are the largest lizards in the world, with an average length of 2-3 m. Large size is associated with symptoms of island gigantism, the tendency for body meraksasanya certain animals that live in small island linked to the absence of mammalian carnivores on the island where dragons live, and the rate of metabolism of small dragons.
Because of his body, these lizards occupy the position of a top predator that dominates its place of living ecosystems. Komodo dragons are found by western researchers in 1910. Her body is great and terrible reputation makes them popular in zoos. Dragons in the wild habitat has been shrinking due to human activities and therefore the IUCN include dragons as a species vulnerable to extinction. These large lizards are protected under Indonesian law and a national park, namely Komodo National Park, established to protect them.
Anatomy and morphology
In the wild, adult Komodo dragon usually has a mass of about 70 pounds, but Komodo dragons kept in captivity often have a greater body weight. Wild specimens have the largest ever of 3:13 meters long and weighing about 166 kilograms, including the weight of undigested food in his stomach. Although listed as the largest lizard the Komodo dragon is still alive, but not the longest. This reputation is held by the Papua monitor lizards (Varanus salvadorii). Komodo has the same tail length with his body, and about 60 pieces of jagged sharp teeth along the approximately 2.5 cm, which is often replaced.
Komodo dragon saliva often mixed with small amounts of blood because her teeth almost completely covered by gingival tissue and the tissue is torn during the meal. This condition creates an ideal environment for the growth of deadly bacteria that live in their mouths. Komodo has a long tongue, yellow and forked. Komodo dragons males larger than females, with skin color from dark gray to brick red, while more female dragons are green olives, and a small piece of yellow on the throat. Young dragons more colorful, with yellow, green and white on a black background.
Physiology
Komodo has no sense of hearing, despite having the ear hole. These lizards are able to see as far as 300 m, but because the retina has only cone cells, these animals seem not so good to see in the darkness of night. Komodo dragons are able to distinguish colors but not much ability to distinguish between objects that do not move. Komodo uses his tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, like other reptiles, with the sense of Jacobson's vomeronasal organ use, an ability that can help navigation in the dark.
With the help of wind and habits cocked his head to the right and left when walking, dragons can detect the presence of carrion as far as 4-9.5 miles. Dragons nostril is not a good smell tool because they do not have the midriff. This animal has no sense of taste on her tongue, there are few nerve endings of taste in the back of the throat.
Komodo dragon scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, have the sensors connected to nerves that facilitate excitatory touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet have three or more sensory stimulation. Komodo never considered deaf when research found that the whisper, the voice rising and shouting did not result in agitation (noise) in the wild dragons. This was refuted later when employees ZSL London Zoo, Joan Proctor trained lizards to come out to eat with his voice, even when he is not seen by the lizards. Komodo dragon, or a full-called Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), is the world's largest lizard species that live on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara. This iguana by the natives of Komodo island is also called by local names ora. Including family members Varanidae monitor lizards, and Toxicofera klad, dragons are the largest lizards in the world, with an average length of 2-3 m. Large size is associated with symptoms of island gigantism, the tendency for body meraksasanya certain animals that live in small island linked to the absence of mammalian carnivores on the island where dragons live, and the rate of metabolism of small dragons.
Because of his body, these lizards occupy the position of a top predator that dominates its place of living ecosystems. Komodo dragons are found by western researchers in 1910. Her body is great and terrible reputation makes them popular in zoos. Dragons in the wild habitat has been shrinking due to human activities and therefore the IUCN include dragons as a species vulnerable to extinction. These large lizards are protected under Indonesian law and a national park, namely Komodo National Park, established to protect them.
Anatomy and morphology
In the wild, adult Komodo dragon usually has a mass of about 70 pounds, but Komodo dragons kept in captivity often have a greater body weight. Wild specimens have the largest ever of 3:13 meters long and weighing about 166 kilograms, including the weight of undigested food in his stomach. Although listed as the largest lizard the Komodo dragon is still alive, but not the longest. This reputation is held by the Papua monitor lizards (Varanus salvadorii). Komodo has the same tail length with his body, and about 60 pieces of jagged sharp teeth along the approximately 2.5 cm, which is often replaced.
Komodo dragon saliva often mixed with small amounts of blood because her teeth almost completely covered by gingival tissue and the tissue is torn during the meal. This condition creates an ideal environment for the growth of deadly bacteria that live in their mouths. Komodo has a long tongue, yellow and forked. Komodo dragons males larger than females, with skin color from dark gray to brick red, while more female dragons are green olives, and a small piece of yellow on the throat. Young dragons more colorful, with yellow, green and white on a black background.
Physiology
Komodo has no sense of hearing, despite having the ear hole. These lizards are able to see as far as 300 m, but because the retina has only cone cells, these animals seem not so good to see in the darkness of night. Komodo dragons are able to distinguish colors but not much ability to distinguish between objects that do not move. Komodo uses his tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, like other reptiles, with the sense of Jacobson's vomeronasal organ use, an ability that can help navigation in the dark.
With the help of wind and habits cocked his head to the right and left when walking, dragons can detect the presence of carrion as far as 4-9.5 miles. Dragons nostril is not a good smell tool because they do not have the midriff. This animal has no sense of taste on her tongue, there are few nerve endings of taste in the back of the throat.
Komodo dragon scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, have the sensors connected to nerves that facilitate excitatory touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet have three or more sensory stimulation. Komodo never considered deaf when research found that the whisper, the voice rising and shouting did not result in agitation (noise) in the wild dragons. This was refuted later when employees ZSL London Zoo, Joan Proctor trained lizards to come out to eat with his voice, even when he is not seen by the lizards.
Ecology, behavior and way of life
Komodo dragons are naturally found only in Indonesia, on Komodo, Flores and Rinca and several other islands in Nusa Tenggara. Living in the open dry grasslands, savannas and tropical forests at low altitude, these lizards like the place is hot and dry. They are active during the day, although sometimes also active at night. Komodo dragons are solitary animals, gathered together only at meals and breed.
These great reptiles could run faster to 20 miles per hour at short distances, swim very well and can dive as deep as 4.5 meters, as well as clever climb trees using their strong claws. To catch prey that are beyond its reach, the Komodo dragon may stand on its hind legs and uses its tail as a supporter. With increasing age, more dragons using his claws as weapons, because of its large size trouble climbing trees.
For shelter, dragons dig holes 1-3 meters wide with front legs and strong claws. Because of his body and the habit of sleeping in the hole, the Komodo dragon can maintain body heat during the night and reduce the time soaking up the next morning. Komodo generally hunt during the day until late afternoon, but still take shelter during the hottest part of the day. Dragons hiding places are usually located in the dunes or hills with the sea breeze, is open from vegetation, and here and there scattered dung inhabitants. This place is generally also a strategic location to ambush deer.
Ecology, behavior and way of life
Komodo dragons are naturally found only in Indonesia, on Komodo, Flores and Rinca and several other islands in Nusa Tenggara. Living in the open dry grasslands, savannas and tropical forests at low altitude, these lizards like the place is hot and dry. They are active during the day, although sometimes also active at night. Komodo dragons are solitary animals, gathered together only at meals and breed.
These great reptiles could run faster to 20 miles per hour at short distances, swim very well and can dive as deep as 4.5 meters, as well as clever climb trees using their strong claws. To catch prey that are beyond its reach, the Komodo dragon may stand on its hind legs and uses its tail as a supporter. With increasing age, more dragons using his claws as weapons, because of its large size trouble climbing trees.
For shelter, dragons dig holes 1-3 meters wide with front legs and strong claws. Because of his body and the habit of sleeping in the hole, the Komodo dragon can maintain body heat during the night and reduce the time soaking up the next morning. Komodo generally hunt during the day until late afternoon, but still take shelter during the hottest part of the day. Dragons hiding places are usually located in the dunes or hills with the sea breeze, is open from vegetation, and here and there scattered dung inhabitants. This place is generally also a strategic location to ambush deer.
