AI overview
The Komodo dragon is a large species of reptile found in Indonesia that is the heaviest living lizard in the world. It matters as a significant part of its native ecosystem and as an important subject for scientific study and wildlife conservation.
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Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Varanus
- Named after
- Komodo Island
- Mass
- +70
- Image
- Varan komodský 3.jpg
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Article
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large reptile of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Dasami, and Gili Motang. The largest extant population lives within the Komodo National Park in Eastern Indonesia. It is the largest extant species of lizard, with the males growing to a maximum length of 3 m (10 ft) and weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb).
As a result of their size and group hunting behavior, both exceptional among reptiles, Komodo dragons are apex predators, dominating the ecosystems in which they live. Komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey consisting of small prey like invertebrates or birds for juveniles and larger mammals for adults, occasionally even attacking humans. The diet of adult Komodo dragons mainly consists of Javan rusa and feral pigs, though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion.
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Categories
Apex predatorsEndangered fauna of AsiaEndemic reptiles of IndonesiaExtant Zanclean first appearancesFauna listed on CITES Appendix IFauna of the Lesser Sunda IslandsIUCN Red List endangered speciesKomodo National ParkLizards of IndonesiaNational symbols of IndonesiaNecrophagesReptiles described in 1912