komodo (Varanus komodoensis)

Komodo dragons, or otherwise called Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), are the largest species of lizards in the world that live on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara. These lizards by natives of the island of Komodo also called by the local name of the person.

Including members of the Varanidae lizard family, and klad Toxicofera, komodo is the largest lizard in the world, with an average length of 2-3 m. This large size is associated with island gigantism, which is the tendency of meraksasanya body of certain animals that live on the small island associated with the absence of carnivorous mammals on the island where the life of the dragons, and the rate of small Komodo metabolism. [4] [5] Because of its large body, this lizard occupies the position of the top predator that dominates the ecosystem where he lives.

Komodo dragons were discovered by western researchers in 1910. His large body and terrible reputation make them popular in zoos. The habitat of dragons in the wild has dwindled by human activity and hence IUCN incorporates Komodo as a species susceptible to extinction. The large lizard is now protected under Indonesian government regulations and a national park, Komodo National Park, was established to protect them.