Komodo

• Endangered
• Population Decreasing

These dinosaur-like reptiles are a type on monitor lizard and are most commonly found on the Indonesian islands. As they are the largest species of lizard to this date and are considered an apex predator due to their size. They hunt prey like carrion, invertebrates, and other reptiles and have been recorded consuming a wild pig that was 41kg in weight. These large creatures do have venomous bites as they have glands in their lower jaw that secrete toxic proteins like anticoagulants.

Eggs are laid in September and with up to as many as 20 eggs which would be laid in a self-dug nest. The incubation period lasts for 7-8 months to hatch in April. It takes them 8-9 years to fully mature. They are able to locate carcasses with their keen sense of smell up to 9.5km away. They also have the capability to eat 80% of their body weight in one meal.