Komodo dragon

/keuh moh"doh/

a monitor lizard, Varanus komodoensis, of certain Indonesian islands E of Java, that grows to a length of 10 ft. (3 m): the largest lizard in the world; now rare. Also called dragon lizard, giant lizard, Komodo lizard.

[1925-30; named after Komodo, Indonesian island, its principal range]

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Largest living lizard (Varanus komodoensis), a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae.

They live on Komodo Island and a few neighbouring islands in Indonesia. Driven almost to extinction, they are now protected. Komodos grow to 10 ft (3 m) long, weigh up to 300 lb (135 kg), and may live up to 100 years. They dig a burrow as deep as 30 ft (9 m). Carrion is their main diet, but adults may eat smaller Komodos. They can run swiftly and occasionally attack and kill humans.

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis).

James A. Kern

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▪ lizard

 largest extant lizard species. The dragon is a monitor lizard of the family Varanidae. It occurs on Komodo Island and a few neighbouring islands of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. The popular interest in the lizard's large size and predatory habits has allowed this endangered species to become an ecotourist attraction, which has encouraged its protection.

      The lizard grows to 3 metres (10 feet) in total length and attains a weight of about 135 kg (about 300 pounds). It digs a burrow as deep as 9 metres and lays eggs that hatch in April or May. The newly hatched young, about 45 cm (18 inches) long, live in trees for several months. Adult Komodo dragons eat smaller members of their own species and sometimes even other adults. They can run swiftly and occasionally attack and kill human beings. Carrion, however, is their main diet item, although they commonly wait along game trails to ambush pigs, deer, and cattle. They seldom need to capture their prey directly since their septic bite quickly causes a lethal infection. Komodo dragons often find their prey in the process of dying or shortly after death.

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