1. Komodo Dragons Jonas Bahceli

2. 1. What are Komodo dragons? • 2. Where do Komodo dragons live? • 3. Physical Attributes • 4. How does the animal detect prey? • 5. Diet • 6. Poison • 7. Interesting Facts

3. What are Komodo Dragons? • Komodo dragons aren’t actual dragons. They are reptiles, the largest form of lizards on this planet, but they simply have gained this name as they put fear into anyone who crosses them. Another reason that may have caused this name is that the mythical dragons were able to breath fire, and although Komodo dragons don’t have this, they have a deadly venom which they spit. Due to the number of Komodo dragons being low, these animals were only discovered around 100 years ago. Due to various factors, there are only about 4,000-5,000 Komodo dragons living in the wild, putting them in an endangered status.

4. Where do Komodo Dragons live? • Komodo dragons are found in South East Asia, specifically on certain islands in Indonesia. These islands include Komodo, Rinca, GiliDasami, GiliMontang, Flores and Padar*. They live in savannas and forests on these islands, and these areas are very dry and hot. The animals are able to go from island to island as they can also swim. • *= Komodo dragons are nolonger living on Padar, as thenumber of prey had decreaseddue to poaching, so theycouldn’t survive on the island anymore.

5. Physical Attributes • Komodo dragons are very similar to crocodiles when considering the size. On average they weigh about 136kg and reach a length of three meters. It has 60 teeth and it also contains a poison in its mouth which consists of a toxic poison, additionally it has an astonishing tongue. It’s skin has small bones which create an armor for the dragon. Although they aren’t specifically light, they can run up to 20 km/h, they can swim and they are able to climb up trees.

6. How does the animal detect prey? • The Komodo dragon has a very weak ears, so it cannot rely on sound when hunting. It has good vision, as it is able to see about 300m into the distance during the day, and it is not colorblind. The fascinating part about the Komodo dragon is it’s tongue. The tongue is used to smell and taste, which detects the whereabouts of other creatures. The dragon constantly sticks its tongue out because it is able to detect prey which is between 4-9.5 km away. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGYqytvbEjE

7. Diet • Komodo dragons are carnivores. This means that their diet consists of animals such as deer, goats, water buffalo, birds, etc. They also feed on new born Komodo dragons, so these must find shelter not long after birth. When the animals hunt, they bite their prey, and when doing so, a saliva is released which contains many forms of bacteria. This saliva is venomous so the prey has some hours to live, and when its dead the dragon uses its tongues detection to find it again. Some dragons are able to eat as little as 12 times a year and can still survive due to their slow metabolism.

8. Poison • The Komodo dragon has saliva which contains a strong poison. Originally the poison was believed to have been caused through forms of bacteria, but recent studies have proven otherwise. Toxic proteins in the lower jaw are what cause the poison. The proteins affect the blood, they lower the blood pressure, they paralyze muscles and they cause hypothermia. The process is fast, and all of this together is what eventually causes the death of the prey.

9. Interesting Facts • Komodo dragons can throw up anything they have eaten, which threatens their physical performance. • Komodo dragons cannot poison each other; they can kill, but the poison does not have affect. • The largest animals always eat first, but when it comes to equal size they wrestle it out. Mostly the loser leaves, but in some cases the winner kills and eats the loser.

10. Thank You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHB_CM86rgk