The Life of Komodo Dragons

Komodo dragons are the biggest lizards in the world, growing up to 3 meters long and weighing over 70 kg. They have rough, scaly skin, strong legs, and sharp claws. Their powerful tails help with balance and can even be used to knock down prey. Komodos also have a long, forked tongue that helps them "smell" their surroundings, picking up scents from several kilometers away.

These giant lizards live in a few Indonesian islands like Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. They prefer hot, dry places such as grasslands, savannas, and tropical forests. Komodos eat meat --- lots of it. They hunt animals like deer, wild boar, and even water buffalo. Sometimes, they'll scavenge from carcasses too. One cool fact is that their saliva is full of bacteria, which helps them take down prey even if it escapes at first.

Komodos usually lay eggs once a year. The female can lay around 15--30 eggs in a burrow, and the baby dragons hatch after about 8--9 months. Surprisingly, they can also reproduce without mating --- a process called parthenogenesis. Sadly, Komodo dragons are endangered. Habitat loss, natural disasters, and human activity have all reduced their population. Conservation efforts are now in place, especially in Komodo National Park, to protect these amazing creatures and keep them around for future generations.