The largest living lizard! ……The fearsome Komodo dragon!
Komodo dragons are only found on several small islands in Indonesia. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to help preserve and protect Komodo dragons. Deforestation for agricultural use and poaching of deer, the dragons’ main prey, are the biggest threats to species survival.
This Komodo dragon is named Indah. She lives at the Australia Zoo. According to Robert Irwin, Indah is a very sweet Komodo dragon that enjoys cuddles and being pet. Although he also acknowledges that she is still a wild animal that can do serious harm.
Young Komodos live in the trees to hide from predators. Once they reach 45 lbs they live on the ground. On average Komodo dragons weigh 154 lbs, but the largest recorded dragon weighed 366 lbs and was 10 ft long.
Komodo dragon attacks are rare. There has been a handful of attacks, only 5 were fatal since the 1970s. Komodo dragons ooze venom from glands in their lower jaw. When attacking prey they use the sharp teeth to bite into an animal, while oozing venom into the wounds. If their prey escapes they track it until it dies from the venom.
Learn more at http://komododragon.org/
Eye of the Wild Photography 