The komodo dragon, varanus komodoensis, also known as the komodo monitor, is a large species of lizard found in the indonesian islands of komodo, rinca, flores, gili motang, and padar. Even though they have no known predators, they are an endangered species. Komodo dragons are kind of hard to explain when it comes to people poaching the animal. The raw nature crew observe komodo dragons hunting in the wild during a visit to rincah island in indonesia. A komodo dragon has killed an eightyearold boy in the first fatal attack on a human by one of the giant lizards in 33 years. It occurs on komodo island and a few neighbouring islands of indonesias lesser sunda islands. The current population is thought to be around 5,700. Komodo dragon is protected species under indonesian government regulation no. They grow to an average length of 23 meters approximately 6.
Komodo national park was established in 1980 to ensure the longterms survival of komodo dragon varanus komodoensis, the largest living lizard in the world and the quality of its habitat erdman, 2004. The komodo dragon varanus komodoensis, also known as the komodo monitor, is a species. Indonesia mulls komodo dragon park closure and bali tax to. Angelica pence, chronicle staff writer published 4. Although attacks on humans are rare, an eightyearold german boy was mauled to death there in 2007. Komodo dragon bites can be very dangerous, and they sometimes attack people. Not known to the world until the first world war, the komodo dragon is actually a species of monitor lizard that has been evolving in island isolation for millions years, which has led to it becoming very large indeed. Komodo skins can be sold on the black market, probably worth tho. The komodo dragon is the largest living species of lizard. Komodo dragon attack repelled by woman with a broom.
Heres what makes komodo dragons so powerful smithsonian. The komodo dragon is covered with a scaly skin that is a speckled brownish yellow allowing it to be camouflaged and hard to see when sitting still. Its certainly deadly, but for years, scientists believed their powerful bite would instantly kill smaller prey, and that bacteria in their mouths would weaken larger prey with a deadly. Perhaps the hardest thing to believe about this huge reptile is that it may vanish from earth forever. Komodo dragon attack handled by 83yearold indonesian woman with a broom. A komodo dragon has killed an eightyearold boy in the first fatal attack on a human. Occasionally, he consumes fish and carcass meals of beef. Komodo island is of course the most popular island for komodo dragon hunting. When hunting, komodo dragons rely on camouflage and patience, lying in bushes or tall grasses until a victim passes by. It has short, stubby legs and a giant tail that is as long as its body. Studies done by walter auffenberg, which were documented in his book the behavioral.
Editor stable after attack by komodo dragon surgeons reattach foot tendons of chronicles bronstein in l. So lets just settle back and admire siss illustrations and text for what they are. Komodo dragon varanus komodoensis animals az animals. Heres what makes komodo dragons so powerful not only is the komodo dragon the largest lizard in the world, its powerful claws, tail, and bite make it one of the deadliest. We were excited to see that the first komodo dragon hatched in captivity at the national zoo in washington d. Best of komodo dragon attacks compilton komodo dragon. The komodo dragon is a monitor lizard of the family varanidae and is therefore sometimes referred to as the komodo monitor. Their greatest threat are humans and the hunting of deer and water buffalo. It is the worlds largest lizard, and it has a deadly bite.
People have burned the komodo dragon s habitat to clear it for other uses, while poachers target this reptile and its prey. Komodo dragons are efficient eaters, leaving behind only about 12 percent of their prey. Popular interest in its large size and predatory habits has allowed this endangered species to become an ecotourist attraction, which has encouraged its protection. Komodo dragon komodo dragon classification and evolution. But if sufficient food is available, scavenging is generally preferred as it takes less energy than hunting. Komodo dragon kills eightyearold boy world news the guardian. Bbc news uk magazine how dangerous is a komodo dragon. Top 4 best hunting scenes of komodo dragon reptiles in africa description. Older animals will also retreat from humans from a shorter distance away. It is able to see as far away as 300 meters 980 ft 3 footballfields, but has poor ability to identify objects that are not moving stationary. Like other hunters, they have learned hunting skills and the behavior of their prey. The most infamous komodo dragon attacks of the past 10 years. There are lots of pictures and detailed information, but it is short enough to keep the interest of younger children. Most komodo dragons live on the komodo islands in indonesia.
Douglas burden, who was a trustee of the american museum of natural history. In 2007, a dragon killed an 8yearold boy on komodo island, marking the first fatal attack on a human in 33 years, the guardian reported. Pdf this paper discusses the issue of komodo dragon attacks on humans from an anthropological perspective. At the smithsonians national zoo, the komodo dragon eats rodents, chicks and rabbits. People have burned the komodo dragons habitat to clear it for other uses, while poachers target this reptile and its prey. The most infamous komodo dragon attacks of the past 10. It is extremely rare for an attack of a komodo dragon to occur without intentional excitement, as these dragons have lost their fear of humans. Second, how did the komodo dragons persist after modern humans arrived.
They kill them to make them stay away, and because of poachers. They eat bones, hooves and sections of hide, as well as intestines after swinging them to dislodge their contents. Komodo dragon students britannica kids homework help. Giant reptiles goes into detail about their habitat, hunting habits, and. The largest living lizard in the world is the komodo dragon. Dear komodo dragon by nancy kelly allen with illustrations by laurie allen klein takes a unique approach to introducing young readers to the life of the komodo dragon by shaping the text as letters exchanged between pen pals. I live in australia, which has many species of monitor lizards the group to which komodo dragons belong, including the komodo. It can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. They then demonstrate the effect of the powerful komodo venom on a piece of raw meat. The komodo dragon is now at minimum risk of extinction due to many factors, including earthquakes, fires, environmental destruction, and a lack of prey due to hunting and illegal hunting of the komodo. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Komodo dragon kills eightyearold boy world news the. A young girl, who aspires to be a dragon hunter, sets out to learn all she can about her komodo dragon correspondent.
Juveniles are very shy and will flee quickly into a hideout if a human comes closer than about 100 metres 330 ft. Find out more about komodo dragons in this fullcolor, factpacked book, which includes topics such as the island habitats of the komodo dragon hunting, eating, and the deadly dragon bite. In addition, readers will learn about the life of a komodo dragon from baby to independence. Top 4 best hunting scenes of komodo dragon reptiles in. It mauled the boy in scrubland in a national park on the eastern. Hunted almost to extinction after western scientists discovered the reptile on komodo island, indonesia, in 1912, this species is currently protected under indonesian law. Wardens on komodo have launched a hunt for the dragon following the attack, which.
Komodo dragon attacks terrorize villages technology. The name komodo dragon was actually given to the animals by an american named w. On our tour we also went komodo dragon hunting on rinca island. He and his crew have a nerveracking close encounter with three metre long komodo dragons, the. Humans kill komodos because they dont want them killing livestock and humans. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. With razor sharp teeth and toxic saliva that can fell a buffalo, zsl london zoos komodo dragon ganas is a formidable predator. The ultimate guide to komodo dragons indo yachts blog. Indonesian land crocodiles and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle.
Komodo dragons, the largest of the lizards, are under threat 1 as wild populations become smaller and more fragmented, as are 341 other species of reptile. Humans have also posed a threat to the komodo dragons survival. Last month a park ranger survived after a komodo dragon climbed the ladder into his. When hunting, komodo dragons rely on camouflage and patience, lying in wait for passing. If youve never viewed a peter sis illustration closely, i highly recommend it. Humans have also posed a threat to the komodo dragon s survival. Powerful komodo dragons observed hunting in the wild raw. On the hunt killer animals library binding january 1, 2009. Komodo dragons dont kill the way you might think they do. Although they have been considered as eating mostly carrion, they will frequently ambush. Komodo dragon is a large species of lizard found in the indonesian islands of komodo, rinca, flores, gili motang, and padar komodo dragon varanus komodoensis biggest living stock photo edit now 88823350 welcome to our cryptid list of creatures. On the last dragon census, there were 2919 komodo dragons recorded to be living on komodo island. The dominant predators on the islands where they live, komodo dragons will eat almost anything they find, including already dead animals, deer, water buffalo, pigs, smaller komodo dragons, and occasionally humans. However, a komodo dragonspenchant for biting humans may have more.
The komodo dragon is able to see in color and, because its retinas contain only cones eyecells that see only color, it probably has poor night vision, like humans. Best of komodo dragon attacks compilton komodo dragon hunting buffalo the reptiles of the desert welcome to channel. We have now shown that it is the combined arsenal of the komodo dragons tooth and venom that account for their hunting prowess, said dr fry from the department of. Dr stephen says a komodo dragon in the wild would not hesitate to kill and eat a human if they wanted to, but raja has been trained and is quite tame. Indonesia mulls komodo dragon park closure and bali tax to fight overtourism. Komodo dragon, facts and photos national geographic. Although many people seek them, mainly because they are large and scary nature, only licensed expert keepers, including zoos, can keep them for viewing. We all learned a lot about these fascinating creatures. Komodo dragons are more than just the largest lizards in the world. Komodos can get in a fight with another komodo,and makes other komodos a predatorenemy of itself. The komodo dragon is the largest species of lizard in the world.
Come and get face to face with our dragon prowling his stateoftheart dragons lair, and enjoy panoramic views through an unbroken sweep of. Komodo dragons generally avoid encounters with humans. Steve backshall travels to indonesia in search of reptiles to add to his list of 60 deadly predators. A komodo dragon walks on a beach on komodo island, indonesia, thursday, april 30, 2009. Besides, they will need a significant habitat, a lot of food, and at times, they attack humans. Later, the wae wuul and wolo tado reserves were opened on flores to aid komodo dragon conservation. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. This is komodo dragon running race by eric cochran on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Komodo dragon hunting in indonesia tiki touring kiwi. A member of the monitor lizard family it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 metres 10 ft in rare cases and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms 150 lb. The 3 meter 10 ft, 100 kilogram 220 lb komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world. Having visited a few of the islands on which these massive lizards are found, in my opinion their danger is overrated. The most infamous komodo dragon attacks of the past 10 years an 8year old boy.
The komodo dragon varanus komodoensis is a species of lizard that lives in the indonesian islands of komodo, rincah, flores, gili motang, and gili dasami. The life span of the komodo dragon is thought to be around 50 years in the wild. Safina, a local guide working at komodo national park, took a particular relish in describing the way a komodo dragon s strong jaws can snap a mans leg in two. Komodo dragon, largest living lizard species in the world. The komodo dragon only have two enemies, us humans, and other komodo dragons. The komodo dragon is a large species of lizard that is only found on a handful of islands in the indonesian archipelago. By the 1920s the creatures had achieved a notoriety that was so powerful that burden took it upon himself to go dragon hunting with his wife. But it is very rare that a komodo dragon kills a human. A map highlights komodo dragon territory, fun facts appear throughout, and the book closes with a full page of kidfriendly komodo dragon facts. Children reading this book are not going to run into the street, find a komodo dragon, and try to make it a pet.
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