Komodo dragon

Global estimate • Approximately 3,500 individuals, including adults and juveniles (Jessop et al.2021) • Approximately 1,400 mature individuals (all island populations combined) • Approximately 400 mature females Estimates by population • Two-thirds of global individuals occur on Komodo and Rinca Islands (Jessop et al.2021) • Komodo National Park • About 2,450 individuals (Purwandana et al. 2014; data from 2011-2012; Jessop et al.2021) • Rinca Island (Jessop et al. 2021) • About 1,100-1,500 individuals • About 500 adults • Largest subpopulation • Komodo Island • Similar but lower populations to Rinca Island (Jessop et al. 2021) • Gili Motang Island • Fewer than 100 individuals (Jessop et al. 2021) • Nusa Kode Island • Fewer than 100 individuals (Jessop et al. 2021) • Flores Island (Purwandana et al. 2014; data from 2011-2012) • No recent estimates (though population monitoring conducted by Ariefiandy et al. 2015) • About 100 on W. Flores (Wae Waul Reserve) • About 2,000 scattered in non-protected areas • Padar and North West Flores • Very small populations: fewer than 10 individuals (Jessop et al. 2021) IUCN Status • • Status changed from Vulnerable to Endangered in 2021: occurs in small, isolated populations and island habitat impacted by climate change • Rate of population decline from 2010 to 2050 may exceed 30% due to rising temperatures and sea levels • Fewer than 1,400 mature individuals occur in 8 subpopulations • Komodo and Rinca Island population sizes stable or in...

World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world, where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development, unsustainable tourism practices, neglect, natural calamities, pollution, political instability, and conflict. Komodo National Park These volcanic islands are inhabited by a population of around 5,700 giant lizards, whose appearance and aggressive behaviour have led to them being called 'Komodo dragons'. They exist nowhere else in the world and are of great interest to scientists studying the theory of evolution. The rugged hillsides of dry savannah and pockets of thorny green vegetation contrast starkly with the brilliant white sandy beaches and the blue waters surging over coral. Description is available under license Parc national de Komodo Ces îles volcaniques sont habitées par une population d'environ 5 700 lézards géants, dont l'apparence et le comportement agressif les ont fait surnommer les « dragons de Komodo ». On ne les trouve nulle part ailleurs et ils présentent un grand intérêt scientifique pour l'étude de l'évolution. Les collines rocailleuses couvertes d'une savane sèche parsemée d'épineux font un extraordinaire contraste avec les plages de sable à l'éclatante blancheur et les vagues bleues se brisant sur les coraux. Description is available under license المنتزه الوطني في كومودو تسكن هذه الجزر البر...

Do you know where Komodo dragons get their name? Did you know they are the largest lizards on earth, considered apex predators in their Quick Facts About Komodo Dragons Scientific Name: Varanus Komodoensis Type of Animal: Reptile Predator or Prey? Apex predator Physical Description: Largest lizard on earth. Dark gray to black in color with four short, thick limbs, sharp claws, a powerful tail, and a rounded snout. Mouth contains many sharp, backwards-facing teeth and a long, snake-like tongue. Body is covered in hard, tough scales. Distribution: Found only on the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, including the island of Komodo. Habitat: Found in various habitats on their islands but prefer a hot and dry environment. Habitats include lowland, savanna, and tropical forest. Average Size: – 7.5 to 8.5 feet long – 150 to 200 pounds Average Lifespan: 30 years (often longer) Diet: Opportunistic carnivore; – Insects – Birds and bird eggs – Other reptiles – Mammals (including large water buffalo) – Juvenile Komodo dragons – Carrion Unique Abilities: – Komodo dragons are resistant to many strains of bacteria found in dead and decaying flesh, allowing them to eat carrion without harm. – They have a blood-thinning venom in their teeth which allows them to bite their prey and wait for it to bleed to death before eating it. – Juvenile Komodo dragons can climb trees to escape cannibalistic adults and other predators. – Komodo dragons can swim up to 1,000 feet at a time. – Komodo dragons...

King of the lizards: There are over 3,000 lizard species, but the Komodo dragon wins the prize for being the largest living lizard in the world! It is a type of monitor lizard, an ancient group of reptiles with ancestors that date back more than 100 million years. Komodo dragons were unknown by western scientists until 1912, and their common name came from rumors of a large dragon-like lizard occurring in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Indeed the yellow color of the Komodo dragon’s long, forked tongue reminds people of mythical dragons that spit fire! These large lizards range in color from black to yellow-gray, depending on their location, and have a rough, durable skin reinforced with osteoderms (bony plates) protecting them from injuries from scratches and bites. Komodo dragons also have a large, muscular tail and long, powerful claws. Komodo dragons live on only five islands in southeastern Indonesia: Indonesia’s four islands within Komodo National Park (Komodo, Rinca, Gili Montang, Gili Dasami), and the island of Flores. The islands are volcanic in origin, rugged and hilly, and covered with both forest and savanna grassland. Komodo dragons have the smallest home range of any large predator in the world! They like it hot, with daytime temperatures during the dry season that often reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) with 70-percent humidity. Some dragons scratch shallow burrows to rest in at night to keep warm and as a cool shelter to retreat to from the heat of...

Komodo Dragon Profile Komodo dragons are large, muscular lizards that are known for their armored skin and massive size – they can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet). They inhabit the beaches and grasslands of the central lesser islands of the Indonesian archipelago. Not officially described scientifically until 1912, Komodo dragons are versatile predators, feeding on everything from deer and pigs to small birds and other reptiles. Komodo Dragon Facts Overview Habitat: Flat savanna, highland forests, and beaches Location: Five islands in Indonesia (Komodo, Rinca, Gili Montang, Gili Dasami, and Flores) Lifespan: 30-35 years Size: 6-10 ft (2-3m) Weight: 154-300 lbs (70-136 kg) Color: Gray skin, finely spotted with orange and yellow as juveniles Diet: Carnivorous (deer, wild boar, goats, birds, Komodo dragons) Predators: Humans Top Speed: 16-21 kph (10-13 mph) No. of Species: 1 Conservation Status: Endangered Their elongated bodies and powerful limbs allow them to easily switch between terrestrial, arboreal, and aquatic habitats. Among lizards, Varanidae are the largest, in both body size and the number of species. There are an estimated 50-60 species in the genus, including the Komodo dragon. These monitor lizards have long forked tongues that are reminiscent of a snake’s tongue, and hard scales covering their entire body. Komodo dragons are solitary, coming together only to breed and eat. Mating begins in May for Komodo dragons, and they can lay up to 20 eggs in a nest at a time...