Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average of 6-10 feet, and living for up to 50 years. They are native to only a few islands in central Indonesia, although it is thought that they were once more widespread. Their diet is mainly carrion, which they are able to smell from as far as 6 miles away. Their saliva is full of bacteria, so even though their bite is not venomous, bitten prey will usually die within a week of septicemia from the wound. The Kommodo will then be able to find their dead prey. Dragons eat invertebrates, birds, small mammals, and even larger mammals including goats, horses, and water buffalo. They have been known to dig up and eat humans from graves. Smaller dragons and juveniles form a significant portion of their diet. The Komodo Dragon is an endangered species, with roughly 3-5000 living in the wild, but it is thought that only 350 are breeding females. Their range is extremely limited, and both habitat loss and hunting are responsible for the threat to the Dragon’s survival.

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