The Komodo Dragon By Devin Schueler Contents Classification

The Komodo Dragon By: Devin Schueler

Contents Classification Distribution Habitat Longevity and Mortality Conservation status Physical characteristics Behavior Human relationships The defense Diet Reproduction

Classification Kingdom is animalia Phylum is chordata Class is reptilia Order is squamata Family is varanide Genus is varanus Species is varanus komodoensis

Distribution The dragon lives on many islands in Indonesia. These islands are named Komodo island, Rinca, Gilli Dasami, and Gilli Montang.

Habitat The dragons habitat usually is a hot and dry area. They live in tiny burrows or also in hollow logs.

Longevity and Mortality The dragon lives up to 30 years but may be killed early because of hunters or other dragons.

Conservation status According to the IUCN Red list the komodo dragon is vulnerable.

Physical characteristics They are usually 10 to 12 feet long and weigh 330 lbs and have no female differences.

Behavior The dragon does not hibernate because of the heat were they live. The dragon will attack if needed.

Human relationships The dragon usually tries to stay away from humans because of humans shooting or capturing them. Sometimes humans can have them as pets though.

The defense The dragon has saliva that numb and kills with every bite. The saliva comes from two glands on the lower jaw. This saliva goes away when the dragons are in captivity because of the diet of not enough varieties of animals with venom.

Diet The dragon eats anything from chickens to the biggest buffalos.

Reproduction The dragons reproduction is like allot of other animals. The males fight for the females and the males fight to the death.