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Komodo Dragons

Komodo Dragons. By. Malik Thornton Mrs. Confer Biology First Period. Taxonamy. Order: Squamata Family: Varanidae Genus/species: Varanus komodoensis Komodo Dragons are part of the Monitor lizard family. Facts. They are the largest and heaviest lizard in the world.

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Komodo Dragons

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  1. Komodo Dragons • By. Malik Thornton • Mrs. Confer • Biology First Period

  2. Taxonamy • Order: SquamataFamily: VaranidaeGenus/species: Varanuskomodoensis • Komodo Dragons are part of the Monitor lizard family

  3. Facts • They are the largest and heaviest lizard in the world. • A komodo dragon can grow up to 10 feet long and over 300 pounds. • It can run up to 11 mph but tires very quickly.

  4. Diet • Komodo dragons are carnivores. • They are scavengers so they will eat any type of carrion. • To get live prey a komodo dragon will wait in ambush.

  5. Defense and offensive mechanisms • Komodo dragons have many defensive  and offensive mechanisms like their muscular tails which can disable a foe in very few hits. • Their saliva in is full of viruses and bacteria which can easily disable a foe. • http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/life-komodo-dragons-hunt-buffalo.html

  6. Reproduction • Mating usually occurs between May and August. • The eggs are usually laid in September. • During mating season males get very territorial. • They duel each other for females by using their tales and standing in upright positions. • The victor then mates with the female. • The female usually lays around thirty eggs. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDLqEYvDeyM&feature=player_detailpage

  7. Status and Life Span • Komodo dragons on average live for around 30 years in the wild. • They are currently on the endangered species list. • This is mainly due to their limited range, but also poaching.

  8. Habitat • Komodo dragons are limited to a few volcanic islands in Indonesia of the Lesser Sunda Group including Komodo Island. • They are found in tropical savanna forest from beach to ridge top. • They try to stay cool in the day and hide in burrows at night to keep warm.

  9. Life for a Komodo Dragon • They are at the top of the food chain on the few islands they inhabit. • They can smell food from over 2.5 miles so they are expert hunters.

  10. Life for a Komodo Dragon cont. • They rely on stealth when hunting so they can ambush prey. • They don't eat their pray directlybut wait for their toxic venom to disable it.

  11. Early Life • Young komodo dragons can climb trees. • they face the threat of being ate by bigger dragons. • they have to grow up alone without their mother.

  12. Facts Cont. • A Komodo Dragon lives a life of leisure. • It generally eats two meals a day. • They often hunt alone and are rarely in packs.

  13. Say What!!! Facts • Komodo Dragons were only discovered 100 years ago when a plane crashed near their islands. • Komodo Dragons have been reported to attack humans.

  14. More Intresting facts • Unlike other lizards, a Komodo Dragon keeps one mate in it's life. • Some Komodo Dragons can give birth without mating. • To protect themselves youngsters sometimes rolle in their own feces.

  15. Misc. Facts • An old belief of the Chinese was that the tail of a dragon, when ground into powder, was a powerful medicine. Some thought that it could even stop a person from growing old! • A Komodo Dragon can go through five sets of teeth in it's life.

  16. Bibliography • http://nationalzoo.si.edu • http://animals.nationalgeographic.com • http://www.komododragonfacts.com/facts.html

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