It goes without saying that dragons live only in fairy tales and in our imagination. However, every rule is confirmed by its exceptions. In Indonesia, on the island of Komodo, the largest lizard in the world lives - a huge monitor lizard! In Europe they were nicknamed "Komodo dragons, " and the locals used to say "buajal-harata."
The Beast from Indonesia
Komodo lizard is the largest lizard on our planet. Its weight reaches 1.5 centners, and the length is noticeably greater than 3 meters! "Dragons" are carnivorous lizards. These are rather ferocious and aggressive creatures that can easily catch up and tear apart a very large animal, for example, a wild boar. The local population says that these monitor lizards also attacked humans. However, there is no scientific evidence for this evidence. It remains only to speculate, because it will be very easy for an Indonesian monster to cope with an adult.
Hunting
How does this large lizard hunt? These creatures attack in two ways: from an ambush or sneak up very close to their prey. Then the “dragon” makes a lightning throw, grabbing its victim by the head. After that, he shakes her violently, breaking the ridge.
But that is not all! If the lizard could not nail the prey the first time, then he kills it with the blow of his long and muscular tail. This blow is so strong that it will knock down even an adult deer, breaking his bones. Despite this, a large lizard rarely attacks healthy and large animals. These are mainly weak or sick creatures. By the way, Komodo "dragons" do not disdain carrion.
Finding their victims to the lizard helps a wonderful sense of smell. Further, strength, sharp teeth, and deadly saliva are used. No, it’s not poisonous among the lizards. The thing is different: it contains a large number of certain pathogenic microbes that enter the victim’s blood during a bite.
A feast for the whole world
It is interesting that the extraction of one monitor lizard becomes the property of several of its relatives. They come running to the dining "dragon" and share a meal with him. Komodo monsters of different age groups are suitable for the buffet: from tiny youngsters to honorable old men. Zoologists noted that these creatures never arrange fights over food. Usually everyone gets a decent chunk. By the way, besides deer and wild boars, horses and dogs are also included in the diet of Komodo lizards.
Neighbors
In addition to Komodo itself, a large lizard lives on the islands of Papar and Rinja, as well as in the western part of Flores.
Dragon and man
Until recently, these ferocious creatures were on the verge of extinction. The fact is that a man shot this lizard because of its durable skin, necessary for the creation of certain leather products. However, laws and measures have been adopted that prohibit hunting for this lizard. Due to this, the number of Komodo lizards is gradually increasing.
Hello from the dinosaurs!
Scientists claim that the large lizard of our days has survived on Earth since the era of the dinosaurs! That is why Komodo lizards are rightly called living fossils, the "shadow of the dinosaurs."
