Komodo or which in Latin is
called Varanus komodoensis is the world's largest lizard species that live on
the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in East Nusa
Tenggara. This lizard by the natives of Komodo island is also called by local
names ora.
Including family members and
klad Toxicofera Varanidae lizards, the Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in
the world with an average length of 2-3 m.Large size is associated with
symptoms of island gigantism that is enlarging tendency of the body of certain
animals that live on a small island linked to the absence of carnivorous
mammals in the island where dragons live, and the rate of metabolism of small
dragons. Because of her size, these lizards occupy the position of a top
predator that dominate the ecosystems in which they live.
Komodo dragons are found by
western researchers in 1910. He was a great and terrible reputation that makes
them popular in zoos. Dragons in the wild habitat has been shrinking due to
human activity and therefore incorporate dragons IUCN as a species vulnerable
to extinction. This large lizard is now protected under Indonesian law and a
national park, the Komodo National Park, established to protect them.
Anatomy
and Morphology
In the wild, adult Komodo
dragon usually has a mass of about 70 kilograms, but the dragons kept in
captivity often have a greater body weight. Wild specimens have the largest
ever of 3:13 meters long and weighing about 166 kilograms, including the weight
of undigested food in his stomach. Although listed as the largest lizard the
Komodo dragon is still alive, but not the longest. This reputation is held by
Papuan lizard (Varanus salvadorii). Komodo has the same tail length with his
body, and around 60 sharp teeth are serrated along approximately 2.5 cm, which
is often replaced. Komodo dragon saliva is often mixed with a little blood
because her teeth almost completely covered by gingival tissue and the tissue
was torn during the meal. This condition creates an ideal environment for the growth
of deadly bacteria that live in their mouths. Komodo has a long tongue, yellow
and forked. Komodo dragons males larger than females, with a skin color from
dark gray to red brick, while the female is more colorful dragons green olives,
and has a small piece of yellow on the throat. Young Komodo dragons more
colorful, yellow, green and white on a black background.
Physiology
Komodo does not have the
sense of hearing, despite having the ear hole. This lizard is able to see as
far as 300 m, but because the retina has only cone cells, these animals do not
seem so good to see in the darkness of night. Komodo is able to distinguish
colors, but not much able to distinguish objects that do not move. Komodo uses
his tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, like other reptiles, the
vomeronasal sensory organs utilizing Jacobson, an ability that can help
navigate in the dark. With the help of the wind and the habit of tilting his
head to the right and to the left when walking, dragons can detect the presence
of carrion as far as 4-9.5 kilometers. Dragons nostrils olfaction is not a good
tool because they do not have the midriff. These animals have no sense of taste
on the tongue, there are few nerve endings of taste in the back of the throat.
Komodo dragon scales, some
of which are reinforced with bone, has a sensor that is connected to nerves
that facilitate excitatory touch. Scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles
of the feet have three or more sensor stimulation.
Komodo dragons were once
considered deaf when studies find that whispers, voices rising and shouting did
not result in agitation (interference) in the wild dragons. This was refuted
later when employees ZSL London Zoo, Joan Proctor trained lizards to eat out
with his voice, even when he is not seen by the lizards.
Ecology,
Behaviour and Lifestyle
Komodo dragons are naturally
found only in Indonesia, on the island of Komodo, Rinca and Flores and several
other islands in the East Nusa Tenggara. Living in open dry grasslands,
savannas and tropical forests at low altitude, this lizard loves hot and dry
place. They are active during the day, although sometimes also active at night.
Komodo is a solitary animal, gathered together only at meals and breed. These
large reptiles can run fast up to 20 kilometers per hour at short distances;
swim very well and can dive as deep as 4.5 meters; and clever climb trees using
their powerful claws. To catch prey that are beyond its reach, the Komodo
dragon may stand on its hind legs and uses its tail as a support. With
increasing age, more dragons to use his claws as weapons, because of his large
size made it difficult to climb trees.
For shelter, dragons dig
holes 1-3 meters wide with the front legs and strong claws. Because of her size
and habit of sleeping in a hole, the Komodo dragon can maintain body heat
during the night and reduce the time sunbathing on the next morning. Komodo
generally hunt in the afternoon to evening, but still take shelter during the
hottest part of the day. These places hidden dragons are usually located in the
dunes or hills with the sea breeze, is open from vegetation, and here and there
scattered dung inhabitants. This place is generally also a strategic location
to ambush deer.
Eating
Behavior
Komodo dragons are
carnivores. Although they eat mostly carrion, studies show that they also hunt
live prey by sneaking followed by a sudden attack against the victim. When prey
arrives near a hidden dragons, animals are immediately attacked him on the
bottom side of the body or throat. Komodo can find their prey using a keen
sense of smell, which can be found dead or dying animals at a distance of up to
9.5 kilometers.
