Komodo dragon
Varanus komodoensis
About
The Komodo dragon is a huge venomous lizard. They’re the largest lizards on the planet and they’re also one of the oldest, too.
They are well known for their venomous bite. The Komodo dragon will force venom into the bloodstream of its prey using its serrated teeth, which will then weaken the prey and prevent them from walking away. Their saliva also contains a lot of bacteria which exposes the bite wounds to infection.
These lizards have long, muscular tails which make them excellent swimmers and help them in fights! They have long sharp claws, excellent eyesight and thick tough skin, all adapted for fighting and catching prey.
Komodo dragons mate between May and August with eggs laid in September. Young dragons spend a lot of time in trees away from potential danger. It takes 8 to 9 years for them to become
adults and life expectancy in the wild is about 30 years.
Komodo dragon facts
Threats
We’re supporting work in Flores to help protect Komodo dragons and their habitat.
Dragons move into human territory when their own territory can’t support them. They’ll prey on livestock which fuels human-wildlife conflict. We’re funding the first full scale survey of Komodo dragons in Flores.
“Without conservation efforts to protect them, these giant lizards face a very uncertain future.” - Dr Gerardo Garcia, Curator of Invertebrates and lower vertebrates.
Find out more here to find out how we’re saving Komodo dragons in South East Asia.
Human intervention
Hunting or collection
Climate change & severe weather
