Komodo Dragon Giant lizard | Indonesia National Park

Komodo dragons giant lizard, also called Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), are large lizard species found on Komodo Island, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. This monitor lizard by the indigenous people of the island of Komodo is also referred to by the local name Ora.

Komodo is the largest species of the family Varanidae, as well as the largest lizard in the world, with an average length of 2-3 meters and weighs up to 100 kg. Komodo dragons are the top predators in their habitat because so far there are no known other large carnivorous animals besides lizards in any of their geographies.

Their large bodies and terrible reputation make them one of the most famous animals in the world. Now, the actual habitat of the Komodo dragon has dwindled due to human activities, so the IUCN institution includes the Komodo dragon as a species that is vulnerable to extinction. Komodo dragons have been designated as animals that are protected by the Indonesian government and their habit is turned into a national park, the Komodo National Park, whose purpose was established to protect them.

ANATOMY AND MORPHOLOGY
Adult wild Komodo dragons usually weigh about 70 kg, but dragons that are kept in captivity often have heavier weights. The largest wild specimen ever found reaches 3.13 meters in length and weighs around 166 kg, including the weight of undigested food in his stomach. Komodo has a tail that is the same length as its body. Although the Komodo dragon is listed as the largest lizard in the world, it is not the longest species. The body's long reputation (not including body weight) is held by the Papua monitor lizard (Varanus salvadorii). The male Komodo dragon is bigger than the female Komodo dragon, with skin color from dark gray to brick red, while the female Komodo dragon is usually brownish green and has small yellow spots on its throat. Young Komodo dragons are more varied in color, with yellow, green and white against a black background.

In the mouth of an adult Komodo dragon, there are about 60 teeth that are jagged along about 2.5 cm, which are often detached or removed. Komodo has a long tongue, yellow yellow and branching Komodo dragon saliva is one of the things that is often discussed by many people because most people think of it as poisonous as a snake or a poisonous lizard, even if there is no cure, either to prevent or neutralize the poison. Even so, this has been a long time between animal experts in the world.

PHYSIOLOGY
Komodo dragons are able to see as far as 300 m, but because the retina only has cone cells, these animals cannot see well in the dark night. Komodo dragons are able to distinguish colors but are not so able to distinguish immovable objects. Komodo does not have the sense of hearing, despite having ear holes.

The Komodo dragon uses its tongue to smell its prey as much as most Squamata. The Komodo dragon's tongue catches the odor particles in the air and then puts it into an organ in the roof of his mouth called the Jacobson's organ which functions to analyze the signs of the odor. carcass meat as far as 4-9.5 km. Komodo dragon's nostrils only serve to breathe and not smell because the Komodo dragon does not have a membrane to receive the odor in the nose. Komodo also does not have a sense organ on the tongue, there are only a few nerve endings in the deep throat.

The Komodo dragon was once deaf when research found that whispers, increased voices and screams did not affect the Komodo dragon. This was later refuted when ZSL London Zoo employee Joan Proctor trained Komodo dragons to go out to eat with his voice, even when he was not seen by the monitor lizard.

BEHAVIOR
Wild Komodo dragons are only found and can only be found in Indonesia in East Nusa Tenggara, precisely on the island of Komodo, Rinca and several smaller islands around it and on the west coast of the island of Flores. Komodo dragons are open grasslands (savanna) and shrubs, sometimes also in Coast. Komodo activities in the afternoon until the afternoon, but still take shelter when the temperature is very hot.

Komodo dragons are solitary animals and only gather together when eating or breeding. This monitor lizard can run fast up to 20 km / h in a short distance. Komodo dragons are also good at swimming and are able to dive as deep as 4.5 meters and are good at climbing trees using their strong claws. To catch prey that is out of reach, the Komodo dragon can stand on its hind legs and use its tail as a support. With increasing age and body size, dragons more often use their claws as weapons, because the size of a large body makes it difficult to climb

WATCHING VIDEO: KOMODO ONE DAY TRIP BY SPEED BOAT