Komodo dragon, is characterized by being the largest lizard in the world, carnivorous, scavenger, with a poisonous bite. Capable of reproducing sexually and asexually, oviparous and according to the IUCN it is in a "Vulnerable" state of extinction. Discover here everything about this particular vertebrate.
Komodo dragon
El Komodo dragon, scientifically identified as “Varanus komodoensis”, is also known by the names of “Komodo Monster” and “Komodo Monitor Lizard”. It is that these are members of the biological classification of the "Sauropsids". Which detail the grouping of living and extinct animals (ancestor and descendants). To which a large part of the reptiles and birds belong, of the “Varanidae” family.
That is, of the systematic unity described between the order and the genus of the species. Being varanids, they are scaly and incorporate or encompass a remarkable variety of species of large lizards that have characteristics such as:
- Small head
- Long neck
- thick body and legs
- Long and strong tail, among others.
For its part, the Komodo Dragon is considered a lacertilio or lizard, which refers to the suborder of reptiles, which includes a large number of them that are handled today. Where there is a figure that exceeds 5.600 species of lizards and the Komodo Dragon is positioned as the largest in the world.
Regarding the Species extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN for its acronym. Which is the worldwide body that is responsible for the conservation of natural resources, located through its "Red List" of endangered species. To the Komodo Dragon in the category of "Vulnerable".
These lizards have the powerful ability to run at speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour. Therefore, underestimating their scope is not an option, especially knowing that they are credited with the death of 4 human beings in the last 4 decades.
Evolution of the Komodo Dragon
The evolutionary progress, expansion or advancement of the Komodo Dragon reaches its beginning through the sauropsid genus “Varanus”, which derives in Asia. To then move to the Australian continent, where this event dates back about 40 million years.
On the other hand, the clash between Australia and Southeast Asia is what supports, facilitates, favors and enables. That the so-called Varanus move or mobilize to what is now Insulindia, the Malay Archipelago or the Indonesian Archipelago. Covering and expanding its scope to what is the East of the Island of Timor, which is an island located to the South of Insulindia.
Studies have shown that the Komodo dragon it differed from its Australian ancestors some time ago dating back 4 million years. However, last minute fossil finds in the State of Queensland of the Commonwealth of Australia. They imply or propose that this large lizard evolved and developed in Australia, long ago, prior to its spread to Indonesia.
Besides, product of the abrupt drop in sea level that occurred in the Würm Glaciation or Last Glacial Period, which was the last one that occurred in the Pleistocene of the Quaternary Period. It revealed and exhibited wide areas of the Continental Shelf where it was settled or established. From where later, when the sea level rose, it was found separated, incommunicado and delimited by space, itself cornered in an area.
Separately, the fossil record establishes that they moved from Australia to Indonesia, a period of time that oscillates around 900.000 years ago, arriving at the Island of Flores. In addition, it is presumed that its disappearance from Australia dates from the human arrival, about 50.000 years ago.
Komodo Dragon Taxonomy
According to Peter Antonie Ouwens, a Dutch scientist and soldier, who presented his description of this great lizard for the first time in 1912, making it official and protocol. Which made him achieve greater fame, prestige and respect, he offered the data that is currently available which are:
- Animalia Kingdom
- Edge: Chordata
- Class: Sauropsida
- Subclass: Diapsida
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Lacertilia
- Infraorder: Platynota
- Family: Varanidae
- Genus: Varanus
- Species: Varanus Komodoensis
Komodo Dragon Scientific Sheet
The data that make up the scientific record of the Komodo dragon are the following:
- Infraorder: Platynota
- Family: Varanidae
- Genus: Varanus
- Habitat: Tropical areas, forests and savannahs
- Geographic Distribution: Central Indonesian Islands
- Habits or Ease: Diurnal
- Weight: Range between 70 and 130 kilograms
- Length: Variation between 2 and 3,1 meters
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Reproduction: Oviparous
- Incubation Period: 7 to 8 months
- Number of Eggs: Approximately 15 to 30 eggs
- Longevity: Normally a maximum of 50 years of life
- IUCN Extinction Status: Vulnerable
Komodo Dragon Habitat
This species of poisonous animals, has as its usual habitat the Sunda Islands, located in the Indonesian Archipelago. Incorporating or jointly integrating the Islands of:
- Komodo
- Flores
- Gili Dashami
- rinca
- gili montang
- padar
However, the Komodo dragon, is also pleased to function in other spaces such as:
- Beaches
- mountainous elevations
- Coast zones
- Riverbanks, among others.
It is important to mention that the Komodo National Park, founded in 1980, was established with the aim of providing this species with the protection it needs. As this is the only place in the world where they are found, apart from containing 3 islands of considerable size, they are also accompanied by 26 smaller ones.
It should be noted that the young specimens of these large lizards maintain the upper parts of the trees as their practically continuous habitat. Adding to this the alternatives where there is vegetation if you want abundant where the area feels warm.
It is also observed at altitudes where 500 and 700 meters above sea level predominate, where the area to be traveled is apart from dry, warm. So they are presented in areas of:
- open grassland
- Lowlands
- tall grasses
- abundant bushes
It is also normal for them to dig shallower burrows in order to keep warm during the night hours. Although if he gets a lonely one, he will not hesitate to settle down with peace of mind.
On the other hand, if it is about tastes of spaces, the adult Komodo Dragons give priority to the areas or zones of Types of soil predominantly sandy. Where, in addition, moderate vegetation prevails, which allows them to move with their large size without relevant disturbances. In which his favorite temperature is around 40 degrees Celsius.
Komodo Dragon Behavior
El Komodo dragon, is known for its usual diurnal activity, with its nocturnal presence being completely isolated. It remains solitary, having company only when mating or when sharing a dead animal with several others. It impressively waits its turn, which will be carried out in a hierarchical manner.
This occurs as the males are the ones that first feed on the carrion, then they are followed by the younger females and males present, and finally the young. They always stay high in the trees and only come down when they see that the big adults have left the place.
It is common for them to travel daily to areas that cover an area close to two square kilometers. Where the main virtue is that it is not dominant on the perimeter, but on the contrary, it does not bother him to meet others just like him.
Only the young have the ability to climb the trees in which they are kept and this is allowed by their light weight, which as adults makes it impossible to execute. In the circumstance in which he perceives a threat, he will have the most abrupt reaction seen, where the first thing he will do is open his big mouth. Then it will whistle, arch its back and lastly with its long, strong and powerful tail it will whip. That is enough to know what will come.
At the moment when it is ready to take its prey, it will adopt the skillful posture of standing using its two hind legs, in which the tail will be the support to provide the necessary stability.
Characteristics of the Komodo Dragon
El Komodo dragon It stands out for having the following prominent characteristics, which are:
Big size
This constitutes the largest lizard species, considering that the males have a size and development considerably superior to that of the females.
It is common for females to reach a weight that ranges between 70 and 75 kilograms, their length from head to tail being approximately 2,30 meters. While the male specimens, a weight that ranges between 80 and 95 kilograms, with a length of 2,60 centimeters. However, some records have provided data on males with a weight that reaches and exceeds 130 kilograms, with a length that also exceeds 3,10 meters.
The senses
He has somewhat poor hearing despite being provided with external ears. To get an idea, human beings have the ability to listen in a range between 20 and 20.000 hertz. But, Komodo Dragons are not as benefited, because their range is between 400 and 2.000 hertz.
Its sense of smell is managed in the same way as that observed in other reptiles, that is, it has the Jacobson's organ. Which is what gives it the ease of locating and capturing or perceiving, in addition to distinguishing the various odors. In this sense, he helps himself by sticking out his forked tongue, to the rhythm of his walk, where in turn he does not stop moving his head with different approaches. So that it is more accurate to find the smell you perceive, which you can feel up to an amplitude of practically 10 kilometers away.
For these lizards, the sense of sight is impressive, since it is easy for them to visualize whatever it is, in which the distance of 300 meters is not an obstacle. Also having the virtue of seeing and differentiating colors, however, it is presumed that for night hours everything changes due to having visual cones.
Regarding their scales, these are provided with sensory plates, which means that they have a direct connection to the nerves. Besides, you have to in the ears of the Komodo dragon, the chin, the contour of their lips and on the soles of their legs, they have sensitive plates, which are estimated to be three or more.
Skin
The skin of these lizards has the particularity of being extremely strong and consistent, in which, in turn, the protection of being covered with armored scales is added. Where they say that they are armored, for the reason that they have tiny bones that are called osteoderms. Given that they have the virtue of changing shape and also become more ossified as the lizard becomes more advanced in age.
It is important to note that this virtue of having osteoderms develops over time, which means that neither the young of animals of the species, nor the young, have it on their skin. So they are more vulnerable, being the main reason that young people Poisonous animals they prefer to stay high in the trees, where they feel the protection they need.
Regarding the coloration of the skin of the Komodo Dragons, it is observed that adults stand out for having a color that ranges from grayish red to a shade of brown, being matte and homogeneous in intensity. On the other hand, the young lizards of the species are characterized by having a greenish skin tone, with yellow bands, together with others of black color.
Boca
El Komodo dragon It has a jaw equipped with 60 completely sharp teeth, ready to tear apart anything. These also have the benefit of coming out again every time they fall out, regardless of the age that happens, so there is no problem losing a piece. Each of these teeth can measure up to 2,5 centimeters and are covered with what is called gingival tissue.
So every time this lizard feeds it bleeds because it is hurt and this is the reason why they are always seen wet with blood. Likewise, their saliva is constantly mixed with it.
The forked tongue, yellow in color and very elongated, in turn, is the best sensory element, because it makes it easier for it to perceive or capture the odors of everything that is around it, regardless of whether it is miles away.
speed and locomotion
His usual travel speed is around 5 kilometers per hour, while when he needs to run he can travel up to a range of 20 kilometers per hour. This is possible over short distances because its great weight, together with its small legs, makes it quickly exhausted.
In this sense, the queue is not a bother, because while the Komodo dragon it moves at high speed its tail rises, that is, it does not touch the ground. On the other hand, while the species is young, it has the peculiarity of being able to climb trees.
But after reaching adulthood that the weight continues, it ceases to be a behavior and becomes an impediment. Another virtue of these lizards is that they are good at swimming. Besides, it has the particularity of moving by swinging its head, body and tail to the sides, in a normal and continuous way.
Poison and Antibacterial Immune Factor
The Komodo Dragon is capable of transmitting a powerful poison in its bite, which is found in the two glands present in the lower jaw. Where each gland in turn secretes different toxic proteins, in which its main action is to prevent blood coagulation. Leading to lower blood pressure and the fatal outcome of the attacked dam. So it is shown that the bacteria present in its mouth are not the reason for the death of its prey.
Regarding the antibacterial immune factor, in this lizard, after isolating its blood plasma, a powerful and great antibacterial was obtained, which is VK-25. Where in turn with what was obtained, they condensed the DRGN-1, which is excellent for fighting fungi and various bacterial strains. Helping a wound to have a healing, even being under the action of an infection.
Komodo Dragon Food
El Komodo dragonIt is a completely carnivorous animal. His food preference adapts to the place where he lives. Where adults, apart from taking whatever carrion they find, it is also common for them to hunt and eat young individuals of the same species. As well as water buffalo, deer, wild boar, snakes, pigs, goats, horses and even humans if the opportunity arises.
On the other hand, the young specimens come down from the trees to feed on lizards, grasshoppers, rodents, beetles, various small mammals. They also take advantage of the birds and the eggs they have in their nests. While the young, they feed practically only on insects. You have, that after this large lizard feeds, it experiences such a slow metabolism, that it may take a whole month before it has the need to eat again.
Reproduction of Komodo Dragons
This species of lizards has the advantage of being able to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Which means that they manage to reproduce through what is called "parthenogenesis". Where it is not necessary for the male to fertilize the female for a baby to be born. Being a product of the development of female sexual cells which have not been fertilized.
On the other hand, when the mating of the species takes place, it begins with the search for the female, because this animal is characterized by always being solitary. It only looks for the couple at the time of mating, where once the objective has been reached, it keeps watch over the area so that the female is not visited by another male. For a few days and in a range of around 2 kilometers.
Once the process is completed, the female will dig and lay her eggs, which will be an approximate number that does not exceed 30 units. She will then prepare to incubate them for a period that ranges between 7 and 8 months until they hatch.
Curiosities of the Komodo Dragons
Among the curious data of this particular member of the group of Vertebrate animals, are the following:
- They are a species native to Australia and then settled after various events in the Indonesian Islands.
- According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN, they are on the “Red List”, under the category of “Vulnerable” for extinction.
- It is capable of digging burrows up to 9 meters.
- It can feed on generally young individuals of its own species.
- It remains solitary and only seeks company to mate.
- Their reproduction can be both sexual and asexual.
- Due to his slow metabolism, he can eat up to once a month.
- What actually kills its prey is not the bacteria in its mouth, but the anticoagulant toxins present in the two glands found in its lower jaw. That secretes through the bite of its prey, either for defense or for food.
- The males can reach a length that exceeds 3 meters with a maximum weight that oscillates around 130 kilograms.
- It is capable of distinguishing colors and its visual range averages 300 meters.
- Adult specimens apart from having thick and very hard skin, is covered with scales armored by small osteoderms, which are ossifications that can change shape.
Other important peculiarities
- It can stand on its hind legs using its long, muscular tail for support.
- When the young are born, they can be approximately 30 centimeters long.
- The longevity of Komodo dragon can reach 50 years of life.
- His hearing capacity is quite diminished.
- It is a good swimmer and can achieve a short-distance speed of about 20 kilometers per hour.
- Its forked tongue helps it and allows it to perceive odors up to a distance of 10 kilometers.
- He is completely immune to his own poison.
- Their diet is only carnivorous.
- The young specimens remain in the heights of the trees, until they reach an approximate length of 1,2 meters, which is at the average age of 4 years of life.
- Their burrows fulfill the function of giving their body freshness during the day, while at night they provide the heat or warm environment they need.
