The Komodo Dragon's scientific name is Varanus komodoensis (genus and species). It is in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat. Its life span is about 20 years.
Habitat: Komodo Dragons live on islands in Indonesia, including the island of Komodo. They live in hot, humid, grassy lowlands and in rainforests. They sun themselves to increase their body temperature.
Anatomy: The Komodo Dragon averages almost 9 feet (2.8 m) long, but can get up to 10 feet (3 m) long and weighs up to 300 pounds (135 kg). It has large jaws, four short legs, and five-toed feet with sharp claws. The tail is longer than the body. It senses chemicals with a long, yellow, forked tongue.
Diet: The Komodo Dragon is a carnivore (meat-eater). It eats almost anything that it can catch or find, including goats, deer, wild boars, other lizards, and carrion (dead meat that it finds). The Komodo Dragon has disease-ridden bacteria in its mouth. After it bites its prey, the victim will sicken and die from blood poisoning within a day or two. The Komodo Dragon will then find the body and eat it. Komodo Dragons have been known to kill people.
Reproduction: The female digs a hole in the ground, lays 20-40 eggs, and then covers them up with dirt. The eggs hatch in about 7 months. Hatchlings eat mostly insects and live in trees.
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