Komodo Dragon

By: Nathan Payne

Classification and Description

• Varanus Komodoensis• Reptile• 8ft. to 10ft., 250lbs. To 300lbs.• Gray, brown or reddish (adults)

Biome

• Indonesia• Dry and rocky• Hardly any rain• Doesn’t migrate

Life Cycle

• 20 to 30 eggs• Incubates 9 months• Carnivore• 30+ years

Adaptations

• Excellent swimmers• Curved teeth prevent prey escape• Bits of bone in skin prevent injury• Can replace teeth

Reasons for Endangered Status

• Wild boars eat eggs• Deforestation• Poached for skins• Volcanic activity

Conservation

• 4,000 to 5,000 left• Biome is national park• Denver zoo breeding programs• Raise money, tell people

Fun Facts

• Skin made of keratin• Can’t sweat because of armor• Gums bleed to make spit red• Digs up dead people and eats them

Resources

• ConsumeReports.org• Wikipedia• Darling, Kathy, Komodo dragons• Martin, James, Giant Lizards of Indonesia