# Komodo Dragon (*Varanus komodoensis*) The Komodo Dragon is a large lizard known for its size and strength. It has a long tail and sharp claws. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Legendary - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Habitat:** Tropical forests and savannas. - **Also known as:** Komodo Monitor ![Komodo Dragon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424754/objects/5616.jpg) ## Appearance The Komodo Dragon is a massive, muscular lizard with rough, scaly skin typically dark grey to reddish-brown. It has a broad head, powerful limbs, and a long, thick tail as long as its body. Its distinctive yellow forked tongue often flickers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Varanidae - **Genus:** Varanus ## Interesting facts - Baby Komodo Dragons climb trees to escape hungry adults, even their own parents! - Female Komodo Dragons can lay eggs and hatch babies without a male partner! - Komodo Dragons can eat almost their entire body weight in one amazing meal! - They dig burrows up to 30 feet deep for shelter and to lay their eggs! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Bite:** Komodo Dragon can deliver a venomous bite because of glands that secrete toxins, helping them weaken and take down large prey. - **Keen Sniffer:** Komodo Dragon has a superb sense of smell using its forked tongue, which helps them detect prey from far away. - **Crushing Tail:** Komodo Dragon has a powerful, whip-like tail that helps them knock down large prey and defend against threats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 200-310 cm - **Weight:** 70-90 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 15-30 - **Incubation:** 210-240 days ## Diet & Feeding Komodo Dragons are fierce hunters and scavengers, eating almost any animal they can catch or find. - **Age differences:** Young dragons primarily eat insects, smaller lizards, and birds, climbing trees to avoid adult predators. - **Primary Foods:** Timor deer, Wild boar, Water buffalo, Goats, Carrion, Smaller Komodo dragons - **Foraging Methods:** Ambush, Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Timor Deer (*Cervus timorensis*) — A primary large prey item on their home islands. - **Hunts:** [Wild Boar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-boar) (*Sus scrofa*) — They ambush and take down wild pigs in their habitat. - **Hunts:** Water Buffalo (*Bubalus bubalis*) — Known to hunt young or weakened feral water buffalo. - **Eats:** [Komodo Dragon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/komodo-dragon) (*Varanus komodoensis*) — Adults sometimes cannibalize younger or smaller Komodo Dragons. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Komodo Dragon? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Komodo Dragon? 200-310 cm ### How much does Komodo Dragon weigh? 70-90 kg ### How long does Komodo Dragon live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Komodo Dragon move? 20 km/h ### What does Komodo Dragon eat? Komodo Dragons are fierce hunters and scavengers, eating almost any animal they can catch or find. ### How fast can Komodo Dragon swim? 10 km/h ### Where is Komodo Dragon usually found? Tropical forests and savannas. ## Where to spot - [John Ball Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-ball-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [Akron Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akron-zoo) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Birmingham Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-zoo) — Alabama, US · Zoo - [Cameron Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cameron-park-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chattanooga-zoo-at-warner-park) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [Colchester Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colchester-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo [View all places to see Komodo Dragon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/komodo-dragon) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Komodo Dragon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/komodo-dragon)