Frequently Asked Questions
about Komodo Dragon
Check out our Komodo Forum for news and discussion on Komodo dragons and the Komodo National Park click here
How does a Komodo dragon act in the wild ?
The Komodo dragon is generally very slow and lethargic. It spends much of his time basking in the sun. It usually wanders in search of food mornings and in the afternoons, and naps in shade during mid-day when it is the hottest.
What things do they use to help them to survive ?
The Komodo dragons most useful trait is its acute sense of smell. The sense of smell (olfactory nerve) in the nose is helped by the Jacobsons organ located in the roof of its mouth which is activated by the tips of its forked tongue. This is why the Komodo dragon is constantly flicking his long, yellow tongue into the air, tasting it for signs of nearby food.
What body parts do the Komodo Dragons have ?
The Komodo dragon has many serrated teeth, strong claws for digging, a long forked tongue, a long thick tail and hard, scaly skin. The largest ones are 3 meters long (ten feet) and weigh up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds).
Why are they called Komodo dragons ?
The name was given to the worlds largest lizard by Douglas Burden, the leader of the 1928 American expedition to the island of Komodo, the only place in the world where these lizards are found.
What is their daily routine ?
The Komodo dragon wakes at dawn and immediately moves to a sunny position to bask until its core body temperature is achieved. It then spends the rest of the day roaming in search of food, with a rest in the shade during the hottest part of the day. The Komodo dragon retreats into his burrow at dusk to sleep throughout the night.
How do baby Komodo dragons act and what do they do ?
Baby Komodos hatch from eggs that have been incubated in a nest for nine months. When they emerge from their shell, they scramble to the nearest tree and climb. The baby dragons spend the first year of their life in trees living on insects, bird eggs and small lizards. When they reach a length of one meter, they descend to forage on the forest floor. This is a survival instinct developed over millions of years because adult Komodo dragons are cannibalistic and will eat their young.
Check out our Komodo Forum for news and discussion on Komodo dragons and the Komodo National Park click here
| Home
| Komodo National Park |
| Travel Info | The
Komodo Dragon | Marine Reserve |
| Bulletin Board | Photo
Gallery | Resources / Links |
| Further Information | FAQ about Komodo |
