Perhaps fewer than 5,000 Komodo dragons remain in the wild – victims of poaching, human encroachment, and loss of prey due to human hunting.
Wild Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) inhabit Komodo National Park in the center of Indonesia’s archipelago. The park is comprised of the islands of Komodo, Pada, and Rinca. The limited range of the Komodo dragon makes this species vulnerable to extinction.
To help raise awareness for these large and lovely lizards, here are 11 things you didn’t know about Komodo dragons — and a compilation of adorable photos! Enjoy!
Komodo dragon fact 1: Komodo dragons are the world’s heaviest lizard, and have a life span of 30 – 40 years. Males can reach 10 feet (3 meters) in length and nearly 200 pounds (91 kilograms), with an average length of 8 feet (2.5 meters). Female dragons are usually under 8 feet long.
Image source: flickr.com / CC BY-SA 2.0
About Rhishja Cota-Larson
