Komodo Dragon

 

Komodo is a species of giant lizard found only on 4 islands in the East Nusa Tenggara region, namely Gili Motang Island, Padar Island, Rinca Island and Komodo Island itself. The giant reptile is endemic and protected.

On Komodo Island, there is a village known as Kampung Komodo. Although the Komodo dragon is known to be dangerous because of its saliva which contains deadly bacteria, the proximity of the giant lizard to the community is inseparable from the folklore that the local population believes.

Komodo National Park was declared a World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986.

The longest Komodo dragon ever recorded is 3.13 meters and weighs 166 kg.

Has 60 sharp serrated teeth about 2.5 cm long, which are often replaced.

Komodo's saliva is often mixed with a small amount of blood because its teeth are almost completely covered with gingival tissue and this tissue is torn during feeding. These conditions create an ideal growing environment for the deadly bacteria that live in their mouths.

Male Komodo dragons are larger than female dragons, with skin colors ranging from dark gray to brick red, while female Komodo dragons are more olive green in color, and have small yellow patches on their throats. Young Komodo dragons are more colorful, with yellow, green and white on a black background.

The most deadly bacteria in the Komodo dragon's saliva is likely Pasteurella multocida.

The mating season occurs in May and August. Contains eggs for a month, and the eggs will hatch within 7-8 months. A female Komodo dragon can lay up to 13 eggs.