Komodsky monitor lizards are considered as the largest lizards on the planet. They are often called "land crocodiles" or komodsky dragons. They live on islands in waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Interesting find
People learned about huge monitor lizards about 100 years ago. In 1911 they were found by van Bosse Dutch Artur Hendrik, flying by by the plane near the island of Komodo. But suddenly it lost control and fell in water. The Dutch could reach the coast by swimming. Soon he understood that the desert island is inhabited by reptiles unknown to science. The traveler was lucky: he survived and several months later came back home where he at once told about a find. Here nobody believed only his words. For the proof of the correctness the Boss cunning enticed an expedition on the island. Thanks to it learned the whole world about komodsky monitor lizards.
Where live
Komodsky monitor lizards live on the island of Komodo mislaid in the Pacific Ocean and others the next to it small islands. All of them belong to Indonesia.
Komodo Square makes about 400 sq.km. In this territory about 1700 huge monitor lizards live. The island is a part of Komodo National Park which was founded in 1980. It also includes the islands of Rinka, Padar and a number of smaller.
Length and weight
Adult individuals of komodsky monitor lizards weigh usually from 35 to 60 kg. A female many times there are less males which mass can pass for 70 kg.
Length of a trunk of komodsky monitor lizards averages 2.5 m. At the same time a half of length is made by a powerful tail with which the lizard is capable to strike heavy blows. But he uses this weapon most often not for hunting, and as self-defense.
Features
Unlike the real crocodiles, "land" it is forbidden to kill for the sake of skin or meat. However, it also does not make sense, the skin of komodsky monitor lizards, dark-brown with yellowish spots, does not bend and does not give in to processing. Under it there is a peculiar bullet-proof vest – bone plates. They protect a monitor lizard, making him impregnable both for insects, and for enemies of fauna.
If nobody touches adult individuals, then young people should escape from snakes, birds of prey and even from own parents. Komodsky monitor lizards have no tender feelings to the posterity, and here can eat. Therefore the first two years the young growth should hide from adult individuals on trees.
Komodsky monitor lizards are excellent swimmers. They willingly come into sea water and even float on the neighboring islands.
Huge monitor lizards are ruthless hunters. They catch a blood smell at distance of 5 km. And their teeth are arranged so that can break off on pieces any, even the largest animal. But komodsky monitor lizards not so quickly run: their maximum speed is only 20 km/h.