KOMODO+DRAGONS


 * KOMODO DRAGON**

**Basic Information**
The komodo dragon, Varanus Komodoensis is one of the largest lizard in the world it could grow ten feet long and weigh more than 230 pounds. These liazrds could be found in Indonesia, the komodo dragons bite weakens and immobilize the prey and then injects venom from special glands of the mouth. = = = = = = = = =**Habitat**= They could live on the driest area where there are few permanent water source, and seek sahe and rest when temperature is warm. They live in the tropical zone around 8 degrees South. Throughout March to November the islanfd is basically all dry with no water to drink. The species had adapted to this region and thus so they can survive without water for long periods.
 * Domain || Eukarya ||
 * Kingdom || Animalia ||
 * Phylum || Chordata ||
 * Class || Reptilia ||
 * Order || Squamata ||
 * Family || Varanoidae ||
 * Genus || Varanus ||
 * Species || Varanus Komodoensis ||

=**Physiology**= The komodo dragon go through the process of having very strong legs, sharp claws on their feet, long flatted tails, and deeply forked tongues. 1) respiratory-All air enters the body through the nose or mouth. The air that goes through the nose enters into the nasal cavity. The cavity has a lot of arteries, veins, and capillaries which moisturizes the air. 2) digestive system-The mouth is where the digestion begins. As the food is being chewed by the teeth it comes in contact with the taste buds located on the surface of the tongue. Taste buds send messages to the brain about whether the food is sweet, salty, sour, or bitter 3) Circulatory- The heart of a reptile consists of three separate chambers, left atrium, right atrium, and ventricle. These will all pump at once and work together. 4) musculoskeletal- 5) significant system- The komodo dragon is like a crocodile with a slender mouth and a long flatten tail. Komodo dragons behavior is they live by themselves but when they eat they gather in groups to feed on dead animals, rotton, or decayed animals. They would eat seafood, birds, or carrion, they could smell carion up to five miles away.

**Species interactions**
====Komodo dragons interact a lot with their preys, they have an interesting mutualistic relationship with some bacteria. They usually feed on dead animals, rotton, or decayed animals. They would feed on anything that comes in their way. Komodo could have the ability to kill or utilize humans.==== =**Reproduction**= Male komodo dragons usualy mate during the season of June, male dragons attract females by rubbing on their neck or their back with their chin, and occasionally nudges her with his nose because he most convince her that he is a good choice. The female wild dragons will utilize the nest mound of a brush turkey in which she will lay a clutch of up to 30 eggs. Hatchings are about 15 inches (40 centimeters) and weigh 3.5 ounces (100 g.).

=**Free topic ( conservation )**= The Komodo dragon does not have an acute sense of hearing, despite its visible earholes, and is only able to hear sounds between 400 and 2000 hertz. It is able to see as far away as 300 metres (980 ft), but because its retinas only contain cone, it is thought to have poor night vision. The Komodo dragon is able to see in color, but has poor visual discrimination of stationary objects. The Komodo dragon uses its tongue to detect, taste, and smell stimuli.

=**Work Cited:**=
 * - Web. 01 May 2011. **
 * - Web. 01 May 2011. **
 * - Megan, Borgen. "Interactions with other species." http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/borgen_mega/Interactions.htm> 2011. Web. 01 May. 2011**