Beware Of This Vicious Reptile Predator!

The Komodo dragon also known as the komodo monitor , is a large species of lizards mostly found in the indonasian islands of  Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar. It is said to be the largest living species of lizard, that grows to a maximum length of 3 meters in rare cases and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms 

Their unusually very large size has been attributed to island gigantism, since it is not possible for any other carnivorous animal to occupy its niche. as a result of their size , these lizards largely dominate the ecosystems in which they reside . komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals.

Young Komodo dragons are very vulnerable and therefore dwell in trees, safe from other predators and some adults of their own species . They take about eight to 9 years to mature, and can to live up to 30 years.

The Komodo dragon uses its tongue to detect, taste, and smell stimuli, as with many other reptiles, with the vomeronasal sense using the Jacobson's organ, without  using the nostrils. With a little help of a wind and its habit of swinging its head side to side as while walking, a Komodo dragon may be able to detect a carrion from 4–9.5 km away.

It is claimed that they have a venomous bite, there are two glands in the lower jaw which secrete different kinds of toxic proteins. The biological significance of these proteins is disputed, but the glands have been shown to secrete an anticoagulant. The diet of big Komodo dragons mainly consists of deer, though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion. Komodo dragons may also occasionally attack humans in the area where they live .

They can move very quickly over short distances. 

A Komodo dragon's favoured method of attack is to hide in between bushes and long grass and pounce on their prey when they calm down.

Pound to pound they are incredibly powerful,  the largest lizard in the world measures up to three metres long  and 120kg. And they are strong swimmers too, so can follow a fleeing prey into the sea.

Generally they attack their prey but don't kill it then and there. They have a poisonous saliva full of different bacteria, So in a couple of days septicaemia sets in and the prey dies.

Contrary to some reports they do not spit out their venom, but their teeth are shark-like and leave on a nasty and poisonous bite. If the wounded prey gets away the dragon can follow the blood trail even to a couple of miles.

A kill usually attracts many dragons who feed on the similar hierarchy of animals.Although attacks on humans are rare, an eight-year-old German boy was mauled to death there in 2007.

Other humans living in the surroundings of this species have learnt to adapt themselves to this creature and prevent themselves,but if they are attacked when alone or when surrounded by them in large numbers, nothing can be sure.

The Komodo dragon is a vulnerable species  and is even on the IUCN Red List. There are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons in the wild. To address these concerns, the Komodo national park was founded in 1980 to protect Komodo dragon populations in the island. Later, the Wae Wuul and Wolo Tado Reserves were also opened on Flores to aid with the Komodo dragon conservation.