Komodo Dragon

Varanus komodoensis

Difficult (Monogamous)

The **Komodo Dragon** (*Varanus komodoensis*) is a large Asian lizard featured in the Deluxe Edition of *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population in the Wild:** 1,400

The Komodo dragon (or *Varanus komodoensis*) is a large species of reptile that lives on the Indonesian isles of Komodo, Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang. They are a dull green-brown in colour with wide set limbs with a wide gape, have a long, muscular tail, and a yellow forked tongue. The males reach an average length of 2.59m and usually weigh between 79 and 91kg, whereas the females are smaller, averaging 2.29m long and between 68 and 73kg.

A Komodo dragon's walk is very distinctive, moving its limbs far out from its body and swaying from side to side as it moves. Although they appear slow, the dragons can run up to 12mph when chasing prey.

The species is classified as vulnerable; endangered due to habitat loss, human encroachment into their environments, and because of mankind's overhunting of the deer that are their preferred prey. They are also threatened by volcanic activity on the islands, which can rapidly kill many dragons, destroying their nests at the same time. As a result, the Komodo dragon is now protected by Indonesian law, and the Isle of Komodo has been declared a National Park in order to help with its conservation.

### Social

Komodo dragons are solitary creatures, but they will group together to feed and mate. When in groups, the largest male is dominant; he will feed first and get first choice of females.

### Reproduction

During the mating season, males fight over territory and mates, scenting the air with their tongues to track nearby females. Fighting involves the males standing on their hind legs and wrestling, with the victor pinning their rival to the ground. After winning, the male will attempt to approach the female - they are rarely receptive to this, often biting and scratching any males who are attempting to mate with them.

Therefore, in order to be successful, males must fully restrain the female, pinning her to the ground before copulation. The mother will carry the eggs for 1 to 3 months, laying them in a nest in the ground - usually the abandoned dwelling of a ground-nesting bird - where they will remain for 7 to 8 months before hatching. Juvenile Komodo dragons must dig their way out of the ground before climbing into trees and living above ground to avoid being eaten by adults. They will not reach sexual maturity until they are between 8 and 9 years old.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Frozen Blood Pumpkin · Restraint Feeder
Blood Scent Marker · Large Ball · Prey-Scented Sack ·
Rubbing Pad · Sprinkler · Water Jet · Water Jet Rock · Large Snow Ball · Rubbing Pad Bark

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* Komodo dragons are ambush predators; they lie in wait for prey and go for the throat when they attack.
* Komodo dragons can swallow prey up to the size of a goat or small deer whole; after a large meal like this, they will slowly digest it and then regurgitate the fur, horns and bones.
* Komodo dragons are cannibalistic; 10% of an adult's diet is juvenile dragons.
* Komodo dragon saliva contains many different types of bacteria, which means a bite from a Komodo dragon is highly likely to get infected. However, they are not strong and prey are more likely to die from a shock and blood loss than being killed directly.
* Female Komodo dragons can lay viable eggs without mating, but all hatchlings will be male.

### Other Trivia

* The Komodo dragon is the largest living species of lizard. They can grow up to 3 metres long and weigh over 300 pounds, as these dominant predators will eat almost anything.
* As of September 4, 2021, the Komodo Dragon is now listed as "Endangered" under the IUCN Red List.
* The Komodo Dragon is the national animal of Indonesia

## References

1. ↑ http://email.planetzoogame.com/q/1mfdr5qgYtqgHGUUNIa1/wv