Komodo: The King of Lizard

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensi) is the largest lizard species in the world living on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara.This lizard by the native island of Komodo is also called by local name ora.

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.

Because of its large body, this lizard occupies the position of the top predator that dominates the ecosystem where he lives. [6] His big body and terrible reputation make them popular at the zoo. The habitat of dragons in the wild has dwindled by human activity and hence IUCN incorporates Komodo as a species prone to extinction.

The large lizard is now protected under Indonesian government regulations and a national park, Komodo National Park, was established to protect them.