Komodo Dragons (1)

Komodo is a family of monitor lizards Varanidae, and Toxicofera klad, dragons are the largest lizards in the world, with an average length of 2-3 m. Large size is associated with symptoms of island gigantism, the tendency for body meraksasanya certain animals that live in small island linked to the absence of mammalian carnivores on the island where dragons live, and the rate of metabolism of small dragons. Because of his body, these lizards occupy the position of a top predator that dominates its place of living ecosystems. Komodo dragons are found by western researchers in 1910. Her body is great and terrible reputation makes them popular in zoos. Dragons in the wild habitat has been shrinking due to human activities and therefore the IUCN include dragons as a species vulnerable to extinction. These large lizards are protected under Indonesian law and a national park, namely Komodo National Park, established to protect them.
Anatomy and morphology In the wild, adult Komodo dragon usually has a mass of about 70 pounds, but Komodo dragons kept in captivity often have a greater body weight. Wild specimens have the largest ever of 3:13 meters long and weighing about 166 kilograms, including the weight of undigested food in his stomach. Although listed as the largest lizard the Komodo dragon is still alive, but not the longest. This reputation is held by the Papua monitor lizards (Varanus salvadorii). Komodo has the same tail length with his body, and about 60 pieces of jagged sharp teeth along the approximately 2.5 cm, which is often replaced. Komodo dragon saliva often mixed with small amounts of blood because her teeth almost completely covered by gingival tissue and the tissue is torn during the meal. This condition creates an ideal environment for the growth of deadly bacteria that live in their mouths. Komodomemiliki long tongue, yellow and forked. Komodo dragons males larger than females, with skin color dariabu dark-gray to red brick, while more female dragons are green olives, and a small piece of yellow on the throat. Young dragons more colorful, with yellow, green and white on a black background.


Physiology Komodo has no sense of hearing, despite having the ear hole. The Komodo is able to see as far as 300 m, but because the retina has only cone cells, these animals seem not so good to see in the darkness of night. Komodo dragons are able to distinguish colors but not much ability to distinguish between objects that do not bergerak.Komodo use their tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, like other reptiles, with the sense of the vomeronasal organ of Jacobson's use, an ability that can help navigation in the dark. With the help of wind and habits cocked his head to the right and left when walking, dragons can detect the presence of carrion as far as 4-9.5 miles. Dragons nostril is not a good smell tool because they do not have the midriff. This animal has no sense of taste on her tongue, there are few nerve endings of taste in the back of the throat. Komodo dragon scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, has a sensor that is connected with the nerves that memfasilitasirangsang touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet have three or more sensory stimulation. Komodo never considered deaf when research found that the whisper, the voice rising and shouting did not result in agitation (noise) in the wild dragons. This was refuted later when employees ZSL London Zoo, Joan Proctor trained lizards to come out to eat with his voice, even when he is not seen by the lizards.