Most individuals become relatively tame within a short time,Even seemingly docile dragons may become unpredictably aggressive, especially when the animal's territory is invaded by someone unfamiliar. It occurs on Komodo Island and a few neighbouring islands of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Other scientists have stated that this allegation of venom glands "has had the effect of underestimating the variety of complex roles played by oral secretions in the biology of reptiles, produced a very narrow view of oral secretions and resulted in misinterpretation of reptilian evolution".

As a result of their size, these lizards dominate the Mating begins between May and August, and the eggs are laid in September; as many as 20 eggs are deposited at a time in an abandoned Komodo dragons were first recorded by Western scientists in 1910.

During their stay, Research from the Auffenberg expedition proved to be enormously influential in raising Komodo dragons in captivity.The evolutionary development of the Komodo dragon started with the genus The Komodo dragon is believed to have differentiated from its Australian ancestors about 4 million years ago. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.

Il a été découvert par hasard en 1910 à la suite de l’atterrissage forcé d’un aviateur sur l’île de Komodo.

Learn about several types of turtles and lizards—such as gila monsters, snapping turtles, and Komodo dragons—that are capable of harming humans.This article was most recently revised and updated by This task was given to the Auffenberg family, who stayed on Komodo Island for 11 months in 1969. Although most young are produced through sexual

They have been recorded as killing wild pigs within seconds,Komodo dragons eat by tearing large chunks of flesh and swallowing them whole while holding the carcass down with their forelegs. If cornered, they may react aggressively by gaping their mouth, hissing, and swinging their tail.

Losers usually retreat, though they have been known to be killed and eaten by victors.The Komodo dragon's diet is wide-ranging, and includes The Komodo dragon drinks by sucking water into its mouth via Although previous studies proposed that Komodo dragon saliva contains a variety of highly septic bacteria that would help to bring down prey,The observation of prey dying of sepsis would then be explained by the natural instinct of Researchers have isolated a powerful antibacterial In 2009, the same researchers published further evidence demonstrating Komodo dragons possess a venomous bite. Endemic to Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara, these ancient beasts have always instilled as much fear as they have scientific intrigue. As an For shelter, the Komodo dragon digs holes that can measure from 1 to 3 m (3.3 to 9.8 ft) wide with its powerful forelimbs and claws.As a result of their size, Komodo dragons dominate the Komodo dragons do not deliberately allow the prey to escape with fatal injuries, but try to kill prey outright using a combination of lacerating damage and blood loss.

Although there are anecdotes of unprovoked Komodo dragons attacking or preying on humans, most of these reports are either not reputable or have subsequently been interpreted as defensive bites.

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang.A member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae, it is the largest extant species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) in rare cases and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms (150 lb).

Get kids back-to-school ready with Expedition: Learn! Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... For smaller prey up to the size of a goat, their loosely articulated jaws, flexible skulls, and expandable stomachs allow them to swallow prey whole. Popular interest in its large size and predatory habits has allowed this endangered species to become an ecotourist attraction, which has encouraged its protection.

In June 2001, a Komodo dragon seriously injured Only a very few cases are truly the result of unprovoked attacks by atypical individuals which lost their fear of humans.Volcanic activity, earthquakes, loss of habitat, fire,In 2013, the total population of Komodo dragons in the wild was assessed as 3,222 individuals, declining to 3,092 in 2014 and 3,014 in 2015.

Son origine remonte à plus de 140 millions d’années.

Le dragon de Komodo ou Varanus komodoensis, est le plus gros des lézards. Older animals will also retreat from humans from a shorter distance away. Collecting expeditions ground to a halt with the occurrence of World War II, not resuming until the 1950s and 1960s, when studies examined the Komodo dragon's feeding behavior, reproduction, and body temperature. However, recent fossil evidence from Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA shows the Komodo dragon to be the closest relative (In the wild, adult Komodo dragons usually weigh around 70 kg (150 lb), although captive specimens often weigh more.The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced, serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in length.

It has only been in the recent past that we have dispelled certain myths and learned the truth about Komodo dragons.