Komodo Dragons are one of Taronga Zoo's reptile species. They are a large lizard species.
Scientific Name ~
The Komodo Dragon is commonly known as the 'Komodo Dragon' although its scientific name is in fact 'Varanus komodoensis'. This is the name that most scientists and other experts use when they refer to this large lizard.
Body Covering ~
Komodo Dragons have scales that cover their body. These scales camouflage their habitat/surroundings.
Relative Size ~
The Komodo Dragon can grow up to 3 metres when fully grown.
Behaviours ~
Komodo Dragons walk on land and breathe with lungs. They have two sets of appendages and a tail. These appendages are their arms and feet. Komodo Dragons are reptiles, consequently they lay eggs rather than give birth to live young. These lizards feed on deers, pigs, buffaloes, small rodent, birds and other smaller dragons. Komodo Dragons have serrated teeth which has venom in them. They use their teeth to kill their prey.
Zoo Keeper Facts ~
Komodo Dragons live in grassy savannahs and monsoonal forests on five small Indonesian islands. One of these islands is called 'Komodo' hence the name of the lizard itself. The Komodo Dragon is the largest living lizard in the world! When they are young, they are more agile and climb well. During the period of time in which they are young and not yet fully grown, they usually hunt for small rodents and birds most of the time rather than some of the larger animals that fully grown ones hunt.
Adaptations To Environment ~
Komodo Dragons are adapted to their environment in a number of ways. Their skin camouflages with their surroundings. They have tongues that are long and flexible which make it easier for them to get small animals such as mice and rats out of logs and other small creatures out of narrow spaces.
Scientific Name ~
The Komodo Dragon is commonly known as the 'Komodo Dragon' although its scientific name is in fact 'Varanus komodoensis'. This is the name that most scientists and other experts use when they refer to this large lizard.
Body Covering ~
Komodo Dragons have scales that cover their body. These scales camouflage their habitat/surroundings.
Relative Size ~
The Komodo Dragon can grow up to 3 metres when fully grown.
Behaviours ~
Komodo Dragons walk on land and breathe with lungs. They have two sets of appendages and a tail. These appendages are their arms and feet. Komodo Dragons are reptiles, consequently they lay eggs rather than give birth to live young. These lizards feed on deers, pigs, buffaloes, small rodent, birds and other smaller dragons. Komodo Dragons have serrated teeth which has venom in them. They use their teeth to kill their prey.
Zoo Keeper Facts ~
Komodo Dragons live in grassy savannahs and monsoonal forests on five small Indonesian islands. One of these islands is called 'Komodo' hence the name of the lizard itself. The Komodo Dragon is the largest living lizard in the world! When they are young, they are more agile and climb well. During the period of time in which they are young and not yet fully grown, they usually hunt for small rodents and birds most of the time rather than some of the larger animals that fully grown ones hunt.
Adaptations To Environment ~
Komodo Dragons are adapted to their environment in a number of ways. Their skin camouflages with their surroundings. They have tongues that are long and flexible which make it easier for them to get small animals such as mice and rats out of logs and other small creatures out of narrow spaces.
Their Habitat ~
ADAPTATIONS AND FEATURES: