Komodo Dragon

Vulnerable

Varanus komodoensis

Size: 8 - 10 feet long with the tail, 176 pounds

Lifespan: More than 50 years

Range/ Habitat: Few islands in Indonesia in grasslands and tropical forests.

Komodo dragons are magnificent hunters. They regularly take down wild pigs, deer, buffalo, snakes and fish. They are ambush predators that utilize their long claws and many short, sharp teeth to quickly attack their prey with. If their catch escapes the initial attack, the dragon will simply follow the animal until it eventually falls. Komodo dragon mouths are filled with bacteria that will infect any animal it bites and bring down even large buffalo very quickly. Despite the dragon’s prolific hunting skills, they are not picky eaters: they will scavenge for food and eat dead animals when the opportunity arises.

Conservation Concerns:

Komodo dragons have a limited range which compounds all threats against it. They are threatened due to loss of habitat, but are also hunted and poisoned by local villagers who see the lizards as a pest. Indonesia is working to save the dragon through anti-poaching legislation and education of local peoples.