The story of the Komodo dragon or also known as the Komodo dragon named Varanus komodoensis, originated from Indonesia. This giant monitor lizard, also known as the world's largest lizard species, lives and breeds on the islands of Komodo, Flores, Rinca, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in the Nusa Tenggara region.
The natives of Komodo Island call these giant monitor lizards by the name Ora. Ora is the native language of the local population used to refer to Komodo dragons since time immemorial.
Komodo is a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae, clad Toxicofera. Komodo is included in the category of the largest lizard in the world which has an average length of 2-3 m.
Its large size, if scientifically explained, is caused by the symptoms of island gigantism, where there is a tendency to become giant or enlarge the body of certain animals that live on small islands where there is no adequate intake of food sourced from mammals.
Meanwhile, the Komodo dragon's metabolic rate is a type of small metabolic rate, because of its giant body, the Komodo dragon becomes dominant in its ecosystem.
Komodo animals were discovered in 1910, by western researchers. His large stature and reputation that is quite terrible make the Komodo dragon popular in the zoo area.
The current habitat of Komodo dragons in the wild has begun to shrink due to human activities. Therefore, the IUCN decided to include Komodo dragons in the category of species that are vulnerable to extinction. Now, the giant lizard dragon is under the protection of Indonesian government regulations in a national park area called Komodo National Park.
The area was specifically established to protect the Komodo dragon from extinction. If in the wild, adult Komodo dragons generally weigh around 70 kg, but Komodo dragons kept in captivity often have a larger body weight.
The largest wild Komodo dragon has ever been studied and has a length of 3.13 meters and a weight of approximately 166 kg. This includes the weight of undigested food that is still in the Komodo dragon's stomach.
Although in fact, the Komodo dragon is recorded as the largest lizard that is still alive today, but the Komodo dragon is not the longest lizard. This reputation is still held by a monitor lizard from Papua named Varanus salvadorii.
Komodo has a tail that is the same length as its body. Komodo also has approximately 60 sharp serrated teeth. The length of each tooth is about 2.5 cm, which often grows and changes. The Komodo dragon's saliva is noted to be often mixed with a small amount of blood because almost all of its teeth are covered by gingival tissue.
Well, this network is often torn apart while the dragons eat. The situation triggers the growth of bacteria that breed in the mouth of the Komodo dragon. Well, this bacteria is deadly to the Komodo dragon's prey. Komodo has a long, yellow, and forked tongue.
Male Komodo dragons are larger than female Komodo dragons and have skin colors ranging from dark gray to brick red. The female Komodo dragon has olive green skin and has a slight yellow tinge to the throat.
The younger Komodo dragons have more colorful skin. Usually, their skin is yellow, green, and white on a black background.
Komodo dragons can't hear
The retina of the Komodo dragon's eye only has cone cells, this animal does not have the ability to see well at night. Komodo can distinguish colors but not very able to distinguish objects that are still.
Komodo uses the function of its tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, just like other reptiles. Komodo dragons with vomeronasal senses utilize the Jacobson's organ, an ability that can help navigate in the dark.
Komodo walks with a habit of shaking his head to the right and left so that with the help of the wind, he can detect the presence of carrion meat even within a radius of 4 to 9.5 kilometers.
Even though they have nostrils, the Komodo dragon's nostrils are not a good sense of smell because the Komodo dragon does not have a body cavity. Komodo dragons also have no sense of taste on their tongue. He has only a few taste buds in the back of his throat.
In addition, some parts of the Komodo dragon's scales are reinforced with bone. These scales have sensors that are associated with parts of the nerves that are able to facilitate tactile stimuli. The Komodo dragon's scales around the ears, chin, lips, and soles of the feet also have three sensors for stimulation and even more.
Komodo was once considered a deaf animal. Because when examined, the Komodo dragons that received whispers, increased voice tests, and screams were not able to disturb the hearing of a wild Komodo dragon.
This was later debunked when an employee of the ZSL London Zoo named Joan Proctor trained the giant monitor lizard to go out to eat by listening to his voice. Even when Joan was not seen, the Komodo dragon continued to follow his voice.
Naturally, Komodo dragons can only be found in the territory of Indonesia, such as on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Flores as well as several other islands in the Nusa Tenggara region. These giant monitor lizards live in open dry grasslands, savannas, and low-altitude tropical forests.
This Komodo dragon likes dry and hot places. They are usually active during the day although sometimes they are also active at night. Komodo is a solitary animal. Komodo dragons only gather together when eating and breeding.
This giant reptile can run quickly up to a speed of 20 kilometers per hour at short distances and is able to swim very well. Komodo dragons are also capable of diving to a depth of 4.5 meters.
Komodo dragons are also good at climbing trees using only their claws. Meanwhile, to catch prey that is out of reach, Komodo dragons can stand using their hind legs and tail for support.
With increasing age, adult Komodo dragons use their claws more as weapons. Therefore, his growing body size makes it difficult for him to climb trees.
Meanwhile, as a shelter, Komodo dragons dig holes 1 to 3 meters wide with their forelegs and strong claws. Due to its large body and habit of sleeping in holes, the Komodo dragon is able to maintain its body heat throughout the night and reduce the time it takes to bask in the morning.
Komodo dragons generally hunt for food from noon to late afternoon. However, Komodo dragons still take shelter on hot days. The places where Komodo dragons hide are generally found in hilly areas that are open from vegetation with a sea breeze. We can find out because we will find Komodo dragon droppings piled up everywhere.
So, if you want to visit Komodo Island to visit this one animal, it is not difficult to find it. However, be careful because this ancient animal is a kind of giant carnivorous reptile.