Indonesian Animal: Komodo

Komodo (Varanus Komodoensis) is a genuine animal of Indonesia. This is a species of lizard. This animal inhabits at Taman Nasional Komodo ( Komodo National Park) in Komodo Island, Nusa Tenggara Timur (East Nusa Tenggara) Indonesia. This species is one of a protected animal in Indonesia.

A member of the Varanidae, the Komodo is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2–3 meters (approximately 6.5–10 ft). This great length is attributed to island gigantism, as there are no carnivorous mammals to fill the niche in the islands that they live on, and the Komodo dragon's low metabolic rate.As a result of their great size, these lizards are apex predators, dominating the ecosystems in which they live.



Their large size and fearsome reputation makes them popular zoo exhibits. In the wild their range has contracted due to human activities and they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. They are protected under Indonesian law and a national park, Komodo National Park, was founded in order to protect them.



In the wild, adult Komodos usually weigh around 70 kilograms (154 lb),but captive specimens often weigh more. The largest verified wild specimen was 3.13 meters (10 ft 3 in) long and weighed 166 kilograms (365 lb), including undigested food. Although Komodo dragons are the largest living lizard, they are not the longest, a distinction held by the thinner Papua monitor (Varanus salvadorii).[Komodo dragons have a tail as long as their body, as well as about 60 frequently-replaced serrated teeth that may be up to 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in length.