12 Nov 2024        11:09:54 am

Environmental Ecology

Komodo Dragons

Tags : Komodo Dragons

Topic: Biodiversity

Why in the news?

• In the Komodo dragon’s lair, tourism faces a delicate balancing act.
• As visitor numbers to natural wonders around the world grow, authorities face a huge challenge balancing conservation with development.

Source: Down To Earth

About Komodo Dragons:

• These are the largest and heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails.
• They can eat almost anything, including invertebrates, birds, and mammals like deer, pigs, and even large water buffalo.
• They have venom glands loaded with toxins which have been shown to secrete anticoagulants.
  • An anticoagulant is a compound which prevents the victim\'s blood from clotting, causing it to bleed to death.
  • The venom lowers blood pressure, causes massive bleeding, and induces shock.
• They have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia\'s Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. They prefer the islands’ tropical forests but can be found across the islands.
  • Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated in the Island of Komodo (eastern Indonesia) and is the only habitat for this lizard species.
• Threats:
  • Anthropogenic factors.
  • Small size of population, less prey and higher inbreeding factors.
  • Climate change is likely to cause a sharp decline in the availability of habitat, reducing their populations even further.
• Conservation:
  • IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
  • CITES: Appendix I. 

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