Monitor lizards are a group of 70 or so species that includes Komodo dragons, the largest lizards on Earth. On the surface, their lungs look like they would use breathing, Schachner says. “When you pull the lungs out it just looks like a bag with chambers. It doesn’t look anything like the bird lung.”
What is a Komodo dragon?
The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang.
How do Komodo dragons react to humans?
Komodo dragons generally avoid encounters with humans. Juveniles are very shy and will flee quickly into a hideout if a human comes closer than about 100 metres (330 ft). Older animals will also retreat from humans from a shorter distance away. If cornered, they may react aggressively by gaping their mouth, hissing, and swinging their tail.
Do Komodo dragons have aerobic capacity?
5. When It Comes to Metabolism, They Aren't Like Other Reptiles Most reptiles lack much in the way of aerobic capacity, but Komodo dragons are the exception, thanks to a genetic adaptation that researchers discovered when they sequenced the animal's genome.
Do Komodo dragons eat carrion?
Komodo dragons don't always — or even often — hunt for their meals. Instead, they eat a lot of carrion. They can detect a carcass as far as six miles away. Unfortunately for humans living among the dragons, that can mean they feast on the recently buried.
How do Komodo dragons breathe?
They breathe by sticking their forked tongue out. the blood transportation system. The blood goes through all the chambers of the heart, to the lungs and back to the body.
Do lizards have lungs?
Monitor lizards' lungs have more than a dozen chambers or bronchi in each lung. The primary airway runs the length of the lung, with lateral bronchi branching off of it. The study showed that air enters the lizard's trachea or windpipe, then flows into the two primary airways, which enter the lung.
Can Komodo dragons breathe while running?
Facts. The Komodo dragon's saliva which is reddish in color is known to be deadly as it carries around 50 infectious agents, particularly bacteria. These lizards cannot run and breathe at the same time. That's why these Komodo dragons have an interesting pouch which is present under their chin.
Does Komodo dragon breathe fire?
Although they don't breathe fire like the dragons of lore, a single bite can be deadly. It was previously thought that Komodo dragons' mouths were so filled with bacteria that it ultimately led to the death of its prey. In 2009, that was dispelled and the discovery of venom glands were made.
Do reptiles have lungs?
Reptiles are turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators and crocodiles. Unlike amphibians, reptiles breathe only through their lungs and have dry, scaly skin that prevents them from drying out.
Do all reptiles have lungs?
All reptiles breathe through their lungs. The reptile lung has a much greater surface area for the exchange of gases than the lungs of amphibians. Many reptiles' lungs have little sacs called alveoli, across which gas is exchanged.
Are Komodo dragons bulletproof?
Here we go... Without doubt, one of the coolest living animals on the planet is the Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, a giant flesh-eating lizard that kills water buffalo, eats children, has venom glands, and is impervious to bullets (ok, I made that last bit up).
Can Komodo dragons poop?
Baby Komodo dragon also roll in poop to avoid being eaten. Sometimes, they hide in the decayed intestines of other animals to prevent hungry Komodo dragons from eating them.
Why is Komodo dragon poop white?
Komodo excrement (left) is mostly white, similar to Hyena droppings (Crocuta crocuta), because of the amount of bone that is eaten. The bones are broken down, but calcium is not completely digested and passes as a white powder. [Many animals, in Africa, eat Hyena poop in order to fill their own calcium requirements.
What animal can breathe fire in real life?
Move over, Komodo and Bearded dragons: the Bombardier Beetle is the closest we've found to a fire-breather. The closest equivalent is probably the Bombardier beetle (Brachinus species).
Has any animal ever breathed fire?
Unfortunately, no documented animal has the ability to breathe fire, but there is one group of animals that is widely accepted as those that come closest to doing so: bombardier beetles.
Did fire-breathing dragons exist?
After all, a flying, fire-breathing reptile could never exist in real life, right? It's true no fire-breathing dragons have ever been discovered, yet flying lizard-like creatures exist in the fossil record. Some may be found in the wild today.
How Much Does a Komodo Dragon Weigh?
Komodo dragons are the world’s largest lizard, and part of the reason for this distinction is that they are so heavy. In fact, many Komodo dragons can get heavier than humans.
How Big Can a Komodo Dragon Get?
If they’re hauling that much weight around, Komodo dragons must be pretty large overall, right? True again–most Komodo dragons are longer than humans are tall.
How Did the Komodo Dragon Get Its Name?
Komodo dragons were originally native to Australia, but they eventually migrated to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, where they are found today.
Conclusion
Komodo dragons are huge lizards found only on five Indonesian islands (principally Komodo) and a few select zoos around the world. They are known for their swimming abilities, their tendency to eat anything and everything, and their deadly, venomous bite.
How big is a Komodo dragon?
Komodo dragons are massive animals. Measuring as much as 8.5 feet (2.5 meters) long and weighing as much as 200 pounds (90 kilograms), it's no surprise they can take down animals as large as wild boar, deer, and water buffalo. To catch their prey, they use an ambush strategy.
How far away can Komodo detect a carcass?
They can detect a carcass as far as six miles away. Unfortunately for humans living among the dragons, that can mean they feast on the recently buried. This has caused people living on Komodo to switch from graves on sandy ground to clay ground, and add a pile of rocks on top of the grave for good measure. 8.
Why is a Komodo dragon's bite so dangerous?
For a long time, it was believed that a Komodo dragon's bite was so dangerous because of the massive amount of bacteria thriving in its mouth. As a scavenger beast, its bite must be filled with the deadly microorganisms of rotting flesh and would infect and kill any victim. The truth, however, was discovered by Bryan Fry, ...
What do mitochondria do in a dragon?
Much like a digestive track, mitochondria take in nutrients and provide fuel for the cell. This is doubly important for muscle cells, which Komodo dragons have in spades — and which also explains what's behind the creatures' unlikely bursts of speed and endurance. 6.
Where did the Komodo dragon originate?
Here are a few interesting facts to shed some light into the strange world of Komodo dragons. 1. Komodo Dragons Are Originally from Australia. While famous for being from the Indonesian island of Komodo and surrounding islands, the Komodo dragon started off in the Land Down Under.
When did Komodo dragons disappear?
As researchers noted in a 2009 study in the journal PLOS One, Komodo dragons may have disappeared from Australia around 50,000 years ago, a disappearance that would have roughly coincided with the arrival of humans to the continent.
Do Komodo dragons play?
It turns out Komodo dragons also engage in play. Captive individuals have been observed playing with shovels, shoes, and even Frisbees. The way the individuals interacted with the objects was shown to be without aggression or food motivation, and can be considered play .
What balance does water have on lizards?
Water/salt balance. Water makes up 70% of a lizard's body weight (10% more than in humans) Varanid skin is covered with scales and contains no sweat glands. Excess sodium removed by special salt-secreting glands in the nasal capsules. << Previous: Distribution & Habitat. Next: Behavior & Ecology >>.
How far can Komodo dragons detect food?
Sense of smell important in food detection. Komodo dragons can detect the scent of carrion from as far as 11 km (6.8 mi) Decomposition releases volatile oils that Komodo dragons can detect. A pair of Jacobson's organs opens into the roof of the mouth.
What is the largest living lizard?
Largest living lizard. Juveniles slender and agile. Adults more robust, with flatter bodies and proportionately shorter tails (compared to juveniles) Males larger than females. Long neck for viewing surroundings (e.g., in tall grass) Can raise head up to 40 cm (1 ft) above the ground.
What did Brian Fry find about Komodo dragons?
Whilst there was a lot of bacteria within their mouths, it was actually lower than most mammalian mouths and there was nothing that would cause the rapid tissue disintegration or blood loss associated with Komodo dragon bites.
How big is a Komodo dragon?
When you look at a Komodo dragon, weighing up to 198 lbs (90kg) and 10ft (3 meters) in length , full of muscle and lumbering around the land, you wouldn’t think they’d be natural swimmers. However, Komodo dragons – much like most other reptiles – are avid swimmers.
What are some interesting facts about Komodo dragons?
10 Interesting Facts About Komodo Dragons. Young Komodo dragons roll around in poop and climb trees to avoid getting eaten. Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards on the planet. They are fearsome creatures with a reputation for being strong, aggressive and deadly hunters. However, as time has gone on, science and research has showed us ...
What organ does the Komodo dragon use to pick up taste?
When the Komodo dragon draws its tongue back into its mouth, the prongs fit into an organ called the Jacobson’s Organ on the roof of its mouth.
How far away can a Komodo dragon smell?
For a Komodo dragon, this way of smelling carrion is so refined that it can smell something dead over five miles away and pinpoint where it is. As you can imagine, this is very useful especially if they have to swim a couple miles to get to their food!
How many people have died from Komodo dragons?
Komodo dragons have only killed 4 people since the 1970’s. Despite their bad rep as vicious man-eating beasts, Komodo dragons are responsible for hardly any fatalities at all. Mortal encounters were documented in 1974, 2000, 2007 and 2009.
When was the last time Komodo dragons died?
The last Komodo dragon fatality occurred in 2009 when a man fell from an apple tree and was passed out below it. Two Komodo dragons mauled the unconscious man before people nearby intervened. Although the man was rushed to hospital, he later died from his wounds.
Why Are Komodo Dragons Dangerous?
Now you know that Komodo dragons are indeed dangerous and why. But let’s break down every reason separately and see why these giant lizards are really threatening.
Are Komodo Dragons Aggressive?
Komodo dragons can become aggressive. These reptiles, like many others, are wild animals, and wild animals can be aggressive. While Komodo dragons are not overly aggressive by nature, sometimes the attack is just associated with their predatory instincts. Often animals are irritated by humans, and their animal instinct pushes them to be aggressive.
Do Komodo Dragons Attack Humans?
Yes, Komodo Dragons attack humans. And there have been various cases of humans that were attacked, hurt, and even killed by a Komodo dragon. But fortunately, it isn’t something that happens that often.
Do Komodo Dragons Eat People?
Yes, Komodo dragons eat people. Komodo dragons have been noted to dig graves and eat human corpses. However, this only happens when food is scarce, so don’t get scared; there’s little to no chance for you to get eaten by a Komodo dragon.
In Summary – Are Komodo Dragons Dangerous?
Komodo dragons are the largest and the most dangerous lizards on the planet. They possess deadly poisonous bites that can kill a person in less than one hour. There have been cases of attacks on humans, however, these giant lizards will not actively hunt people.
Do Komodo Dragons Have Teeth?
When crocodiles or alligators open their mouths, their teeth are easily visible, and terrifying. But when a komodo dragon airs out its gums–you see just that; gums.
Sword Teeth
Komodo dragons are what’s called ‘ziphodonts’, meaning ‘sword-tooth’. The characterization is appropriate; they have 60 razor sharp, sickle shaped teeth lining their jaws.
What Do Komodo Dragons Use Their Teeth For?
Komodo dragons are, fittingly, carnivorous. They eat birds, mammals, and carrion. They’re one of the few species of lizard to hunt prey larger than themselves. But just what role do their teeth play in all of this?
Do Komodo Dragons Bite Humans?
Komodo dragons don’t normally hunt humans; but they will defend themselves if threatened or trapped. Young komodo dragons usually run from humans, and from bigger lizards who will eat them if given the chance.
Why did Schachner believe that no one found unidirectional breathing in lizards?
Schachner believes that no one found unidirectional breathing in lizards because the trait is so hard to measure, especially in wild animals. Wedel hopes the discovery by Schachner's team will inspire others to eschew conventional wisdom.
What is the unidirectional breathing in monitor lizards?
The discovery of unidirectional breathing in monitor lizards could either mean that the trait evolved in the common ancestor of birds, crocodiles and lizards—an animal that lived roughly 270 million years ago and resembled an iguana—or that the feature evolved independently in each evolutionary branch, Schach ner says.
How long can crocodiles hold their breath?
Crocodiles can hold their breath for upwards of 20 minutes, and ancient marine reptiles may have found the trait useful for long dives, Schachner says. The trait could have also been an adaptation to lower oxygen levels on Earth, she says.
Where do monitor lizards live?
These lizards get more oxygen from air than any other reptile and they live in environments ranging from parched desert to tropical forest. “Who knows when the next asteroid hits, maybe monitor lizards will inherit the Earth,” Wedel says.
Do Savannah monitor lizards have the same breathing mechanism?
Now a team led by Farmer and her colleague Emma Schachner, an evolutionary biologist at the same institution, report in Nature that savannah monitor lizards ( Varanus exanthematicus) use the same breathing mechanism. ( Scientific American is part of Nature Publishing Group.)
Do monitor lizards breathe?
Monitor Lizards Found to Breathe Unidirectionally Like Birds. Monitor lizards extract oxygen both when they inhale and exhale, perhaps explaining why they are so successful as a species. A lizard captures oxygen from air both when inhaling and exhaling—a feat normally associated with birds. Many scientists believe birds developed ...
Do alligators breathe in the same way?
The discovery hinted that dinosaurs might have also breathed the same way.
What is the trachea of a lizard?
The trachea divides into two bronchii which open into the lungs without bronchioles. The lungs are simple hollow sacs with internal folds lined with faveoli (small sacs) for an increased surface area. In more advanced lizards, the lungs are further divided into interconnected chambers by few large septae.
What glands excrete salt?
Nasal salt glands are present in herbivorous iguanid lizards such as the green iguana. These excrete excessive sodium and potassium when the plasma osmotic concentration is high. Lizards achieve this by sneezing, which expels a clear fluid that dries to a fine white powder consisting of salts. This mechanism should not be mistaken for a upper respiratory infection as it is a normal physiologic process allowing water conservation. Anterior in the roof of the mouth, the paired internal nares are a common site for discharges to accumulate and therefore a good sampling site for bacteriology when a respiratory infection is present or suspected.
Why is the hard palate closed?
It is normally closed except during inspiration or expiration. The hard palate is reduced to allow airflow from the inner nasal opening to the glotttis. The glottis is generally quite rostral and located at the base of the tongue. This simplifies intubation and tube-feeding.
What happens when a lizard is infected?
When infected, it will fill with secretions and appear as a swelling of the ventral neck. Respiration, which is voluntary and dependant on blood carbon dioxide pressure and temperature, is aided by expansion and contraction of the ribs as lizards lack a diaphragm.