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The Komodo Dragon, also known as the Komodo Monitor, Komodo Island Monitor, Ora (to the natives of Komodo), or simply Komodo (Varanus komodoensis), is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2-3 meters (approximately 6.5-10 feet). This great length is attributed to island gigantism, as there are no carnivorous mammals to fill the niche in the islands that they live on.[3] It is a member of the monitor lizard family, Varanidae, and only inhabits the islands of Komodo, Rinca (or Rintja), Padar, Flores, Gili Motang, Owadi and Samiin in central Indonesia.


In the wild, large adults tend to weigh around 70 kg (154 lb). Captive specimens often weigh more. They are usually between 6 and 10 feet long. The largest verified wild specimen was 3.13 metres (10 feet 3 inches) long and weighed 166 kg (365 lb), including undigested food. Komodo dragons have a tail that is as long as the body, as well as about 60 serrated teeth that may be 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) in length which they replace frequently. They have red, blood-like saliva, as they bite their own gums when they eat, thus creating an ideal culture for the virulent bacteria that live in their mouths. It also has a long, yellow, snake-like tongue. Males are larger than females, with skin color from dark gray to brick red. Females are more olive green, and have patches of yellow at the throat. The young are much more colorful by comparison, with yellow, green and white banding on a dark background. Komodo dragons are found exclusively in Indonesia, on the island of Rinca and on several islands of the Lesser Sunda archipelago. They prefer hot and dry places, and typically live in dry open grassland, savanna and tropical forest at low elevation. As poikilotherms, they are most active in the day, although they do exhibit some nocturnal activity. Komodo dragons are largely solitary, coming together only to breed and eat. They are capable of running rapidly in brief sprints (up to 12.4 miles per hour [20 kilometers per hour]), are excellent swimmers (may dive up to 15 feet [4.57 meters]), and they climb trees proficiently through use of their strong claws. To catch prey that is out of reach, it may stand on its hind legs and use its tail as a support. As they grow older, their claws are used primarily as weapons, as their great mass makes climbing impractical for adults. For shelter, dragons dig holes that can measure from 3-10 feet wide (0.9-1.8 metres wide). Because of their large size and habit of sleeping in these holes, Komodo dragons are able to conserve body heat throughout the night and minimize their basking period the morning after.