Dragon tegu (SciiFii)

The dragon tegu (Dracosalvator giganteum) is a species of lizard of the family Teiidae, most closely related to the tegu of the genus Salvator, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America and South America to help boost biodiversity. The dragon tegu is the largest extant species of lizard, growing to an average length of about 3 metres (10 ft), and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms (150 lb), about the size of the largest Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) of Indonesia, although some individuals can grow slightly larger. As a result of their size, dragon tegus are one of the many apex predators of the Americas, and fill the ecological niche similar to Komodo dragons, hence their names. Dragon tegus hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals. The dragon tegus have two glands in the lower jaw which secrete several toxic proteins, and glands are known to secrete an anticoagulant. Dragon tegus' group behavior in hunting is exceptional among the non-archosaurian reptiles. The diet of Komodo dragons mainly consists of deer such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), to name a few, though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion. Dragon tegus also occasionally attack humans, although those occurrences are rare. Mating begins between April and August, and the eggs are laid in August or September; as many as 50 eggs are deposited at a time in an abandoned ground-nesting bird nest or in a self-dug nesting hole. The eggs are incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in March or April, when insects are most plentiful. Young dragon tegus are vulnerable and dwell in trees to avoid predators, such as cannibalistic adults. They take 5 to 6 years to mature and are estimated to live up to 50 years. The conservation status of the dragon tegu is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the dragon tegu's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii