Shadow of the dinosaurs. Komodo "dragon" - the largest lizard of our time!

It goes without saying that dragons live only in fairy tales and in our imagination. However, every rule is supported by its exceptions. In Indonesia, on the island of Komodo, lives the largest lizard in the world - a huge monitor! In Europe, they were nicknamed "Komod dragons", and local people used to say "bujal-harata".

Monster from Indonesia

Komodo monitor is the largest lizard on our planet. Its weight reaches 1.5 centners, and the length significantly exceeds 3 meters! "Dragons" are carnivorous lizards. These are quite ferocious and aggressive creatures, capable of easily catching up and tearing up a very large animal, for example, a wild boar. The local population says that these lizards attacked the man. However, these evidences do not have any scientific confirmation. It remains only to assume, because to cope with an adult man Indonesian monster will be very easy.

Hunting

How does this big lizard hunt? These creatures attack in two ways: from an ambush or creep very close to their prey. Then the "dragon" makes a lightning bolt, grabbing his victim by the head. After that, he shakes her violently, breaking the ridge.

But that is not all! If the lizard did not succeed in nailing prey from the first time, then he kills it with the blow of his long and muscular tail. This blow is so strong that it will knock down even an adult deer, while breaking his bones. Despite this, a large lizard rarely attacks healthy and large animals. Basically, these are weak or sick creatures. By the way, Komodo "dragons" do not disdain and carrion.

A wonderful sense of smell helps to find his victims. Next in the course are strength, sharp teeth and deadly saliva. No, she is not poisonous to the lizards . The point here is different: it contains a large number of these or other pathogenic microbes that fall into the blood of the victim during a bite.

A feast for the whole world

It is interesting that the production of one monster becomes a property and several of its relatives. They run to the dining "dragon" and share a meal with him. To the "Swedish table" suits Komod monsters of different age groups: from a tiny young to honorable elders. Zoologists noted that these creatures never arrange fights over food. Usually everyone gets a decent piece. By the way, in the diet of Komodo lizards, besides deer and wild boars, horses and dogs also enter.

Neighbors

In addition to Komodo itself, a large lizard lives on the islands of Papar and Rinja, as well as in the western part of Flores.

"Dragon" and man

Until recently, these ferocious creatures were on the brink of extinction. The fact is that a person shot this monitor because of its strong skins, which are necessary for creating certain leather goods. However, laws and measures have now been adopted that prohibit the hunt for this lizard. Due to this, the number of Komodo lizards is gradually increasing.

Greetings from the dinosaurs!

Scientists claim that a large lizard of our days has been preserved on Earth since the time of the dinosaur era! That's why Komodo lizards are rightly called living fossils, "a shadow of dinosaurs."