1.  By. Malik Thornton  Mrs. Confer  Biology First Period

2.  Order: Squamata Family: Varanidae Genus/species: Varanus komodoensis  Komodo Dragons are part of the Monitor lizard family

3.  They are the largest and heaviest lizard in the world.  A komodo dragon can grow up to 10 feet long and over 300 pounds.  It can run up to 11 mph but tires very quickly.

4.  Komodo dragons are carnivores.  They are scavengers so they will eat any type of carrion.  To get live prey a komodo dragon will wait in ambush.

5.  Komodo dragons have many defensive and offensive mechanisms like their muscular tails which can disable a foe in very few hits.  Their saliva in is full of viruses and bacteria which can easily disable a foe.  http://dsc.discovery. com/videos/life- komodo-dragons- hunt-buffalo.html http://dsc.discovery. com/videos/life- komodo-dragons- hunt-buffalo.html

6.  Mating usually occurs between May and August.  The eggs are usually laid in September.  During mating season males get very territorial.  They duel each other for females by using their tales and standing in upright positions.  The victor then mates with the female.  The female usually lays around thirty eggs.  http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=oDLqE YvDeyM&feature=pla yer_detailpage

7.  Komodo dragons on average live for around 30 years in the wild.  They are currently on the endangered species list.  This is mainly due to their limited range, but also poaching.

8.  Komodo dragons are limited to a few volcanic islands in Indonesia of the Lesser Sunda Group including Komodo Island.  They are found in tropical savanna forest from beach to ridge top.  They try to stay cool in the day and hide in burrows at night to keep warm.

9.  They are at the top of the food chain on the few islands they inhabit.  They can smell food from over 2.5 miles so they are expert hunters.

10.  They rely on stealth when hunting so they can ambush prey.  They don't eat their pray directlybut wait for their toxic venom to disable it.

11.  Young komodo dragons can climb trees.  they face the threat of being ate by bigger dragons.  they have to grow up alone without their mother.

12.  A Komodo Dragon lives a life of leisure.  It generally eats two meals a day.  They often hunt alone and are rarely in packs.

13.  Komodo Dragons were only discovered 100 years ago when a plane crashed near their islands.  Komodo Dragons have been reported to attack humans.

14.  Unlike other lizards, a Komodo Dragon keeps one mate in it's life.  Some Komodo Dragons can give birth without mating.  To protect themselves youngsters sometimes rolle in their own feces.

15.  An old belief of the Chinese was that the tail of a dragon, when ground into powder, was a powerful medicine. Some thought that it could even stop a person from growing old!  A Komodo Dragon can go through five sets of teeth in it's life.

16.  http://nationalzoo.si.edu http://nationalzoo.si.edu  http://animals.nationalgeographic.com http://animals.nationalgeographic.com  http://www.komododragonfacts.com/facts.ht ml http://www.komododragonfacts.com/facts.ht ml