The Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the ora or the Komodo Monitor Lizard, is the largest living lizard on the planet with its roots going all the way back to the dinosaurs. Because of their large size and fierce personalities, Komodo Dragons are surrounded by myth and legend. They are currently listed as endangered with their greatest enemy being volcanic activity and fire, but they are also threatened by forest clearing and tourism. 
Komodo Dragons reach sexual maturity at about 5-10 years old, and they are reported to live over 50 years. The mother dragon will make a nest to lay eggs into, and she can lay over 30 at a time. It takes about nine months until the eggs hatch, and then the young dragons will scurry into the treetops where they will live until they are big enough to take care of themselves. This keeps them from being hunted and eaten, mostly by other Komodo Dragons. They usually live up in the trees until they are about four years old.