Komodo Dragon
Body CoveringThe huge Komodo Dragon is covered in large khaki green/ tan/ orange scales. These scales serve as great camouflage in the wild, as the colour is the same as the tall grass in Indonesia.
SizeThe Komodo Dragon is the worlds largest living lizard. This monster lizard is around 170cm long and has a waist of around 50cm. The lizards shape is long and flat.
HuntingThe Komodo Dragon's hunting method is very unique and is a very long process. As soon as the Komodo Dragon spots its prey, they get down as low as they can and stalk the prey. This process can take 5 minutes or it can take 2 days. When the lizard thinks the time is right, he pounces on the prey and bites the animal on the leg or arm. After this, the lizard licks the wound with it's poisonous saliva. This wound will get infected within a couple of days, so the Komodo Dragon
Natural HabitatThe Komodo Dragons (in the wild) can only be seen in Indonesia. The Island that they inhabit is called Komodo.Taronga Zoo got given two Komodo Dragons from the Indonesian government, for their efforts and their hard work in Komodo Dragon Conservation.
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Scientific nameThe scientific name for the Komodo Dragon (lizard) is Varanus komodoensis
EnclosureThere were 2 enclosures for the Komodo Dragon; an outside enclosure for the reptile to bath in the sun when it is hot (during the day), and an inside enclosure when it is cold or when it is raining (in the night). In the outside enclosure, there are several trees that are native Indonesia surrounding the den. These trees provide shade so the lizard is not in direct sunlight, but still has warmth. The den at the back of the enclosure is made of large rocks. This den is where the Komodo Dragon spends most of its time.
The enclosure on the inside is quite similar to the outside enclosure except the electric heating (lined in the ceiling, to keep the lizards blood warm), and there is a soft yellow light, mimicking the sunlight. DietThe Komodo Dragon is carnivorous animal; meaning that they only eat meat. Their diet usually consists of buffalo, other large land mammals, smaller Komodo Dragons, and occasionally humans.
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Behaviours
The Komodo Dragon has a very temperamental behavior; the lizard can be lazy at times and when he needs to, and can then change into a ruthless killer in an instance. They can easily feel threatened by other Komodo Dragons and humans. This is when their hunting instinct will start to kick in.