Komodo dragon

Komodo dragon [1]
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Scleroglossa
Family:	Varanidae
Genus:	Varanus
Species:	V. komodoensis
Binomial name
Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912
Komodo dragon distribution

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a species of monitor lizard. They live in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rincah, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami.^[2]

It is the largest living lizard. They grow to a length of 2–3 meters (about 6.5–10 ft) and weigh around 70 kg (154 pounds).^[3] Komodo dragon bites can be very dangerous, and they sometimes attack people.

Western scientists first saw Komodo dragons in 1910. They are very popular animals in zoos because they are big and look scary. The lizards are in some danger. There are very few Komodo dragons still alive on their home islands. Indonesian law does not allow hunting these lizards. Komodo National Park was made to help protect Komodo dragons.

The Komodo dragon has other names. Some scientists called it the Komodo monitor or the Komodo Island monitor. But, this is not usual.^[1] The people who live in Komodo Island call them ora, buaja durat (land crocodile) or biawak raksasa (giant monitor).^[3][4]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "ITIS Standard Report Page: Varanus komodoensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
2. ↑ Trooper Walsh; Murphy, James Jerome; Claudio Ciofi; Colomba De La Panouse (2002). Komodo dragons: biology and conservation. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian. ISBN 1-58834-073-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Ciofi, Claudio. "The Komodo Dragon". Scientific American. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
4. ↑ "Endangered! Ora". American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2007-01-15.