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The endangered Komodo Dragon, resembling a legendary dragon is the largest lizard in the world and the most spectacular threatened animal in the area. The monitor is found on the island of Komodo and on other islands of Indonesia. It reaches 3mlong and weighs 166kg. They have poor eyesight and hunt by scent, which they sense by sampling the air with the tongue and the roof of the mouth. Surprise is their best chance of a kill. The lizard has strong claws and sharp, sawlike teeth. Runs quickly, swims and dives, climbs well and is very strong. Can overpower and feed on animals up to the size of water buffalo but not adverse to carrion or digging in sand for mallee fowl eggs. When cornered, it stands high on its legs and puffs up its body. It may defend itself by its whiplike tail or by biting. They spend most nights inside small caves that they have dug and the female lays about 28 eggs at a time. The Komodo Dragon is endangered because the animals they prey on are overhunted by people. Before humans arrived on Komodo 5000 years ago, bringing goats, deer and pigs, the dragons hunted pygmy elephants and had this food supply to themselves. Today, the pygmy elephant is gone killed by humans. With this reduced food supply they no longer reach 6m length of their prehistoric relatives. They are also confined to the islands, so are vulnerable to hunting, collecting and were threatened by capture for zoos until they received increased protection. The main problem remaining is fire in its savanna habitat. The 'Island Collection' wildlife design of the inquisitive and intelligent Komodo Dragon painted by artist Jean Sindelar with design of lime leaves, turtles, dragon flys, gerberas and pitcher plants by Ro London |