Is a Komodo dragon a reptile or amphibian?
No, a Komodo dragon is not an amphibian. Komodo dragons are the world’s largest species of lizards, meaning they are reptiles.
Why are Komodo dragons important?
Komodo dragons should be left in the wild for one very important reason. According to World Wildlife Fund, scientists believe these gigantic lizards have survived millions of years in a harsh environment, which makes the animals very important survivors, and crucial to their habitat’s food chain.
What animal family does the Komodo dragon belong to?
Monitor lizards
Komodo dragon/Family
Komodo dragon, (Varanus komodoensis), largest extant lizard species. The dragon is a monitor lizard of the family Varanidae.
How do Komodo dragons contribute to the ecosystem?
As a result of their size, these lizards are apex predators, dominating the ecosystems in which they live. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carrion, they will also hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals.
What is special about Komodo dragons?
Reaching up to 10 feet in length and more than 300 pounds, Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails.
What are Komodo dragon physical features?
Physical Characteristics Komodo dragons have robust bodies and thick, muscular legs with feet that end in sharp claws. The head is flat, and the long snout is rounded. The large flexible jaw and muscled throat can expand to accommodate the large chunks of flesh that these animals gulp down.
What are the characteristics of a Komodo Dragon?
Komodo dragons have robust bodies and thick, muscular legs with feet that end in sharp claws. The head is flat, and the long snout is rounded. The large flexible jaw and muscled throat can expand to accommodate the large chunks of flesh that these animals gulp down.
What adaptations do Komodo dragons have?
Komodo dragons have adapted the ability to regulate their body temperatures. If they are cold they bask in the sun, whereas if they are warm they go into the shade to cool their bodies down. Komodo dragons can hear and see, but they use their tongue as their main sense.
What characteristics distinguish reptiles from amphibians?
Difference Between Reptiles and Amphibians
| Amphibians | Reptiles |
|---|---|
| They secrete toxins from their skin to protect themselves from predators. | The skin is protected by hard scales, and they also secrete toxin through teeth and nails. |
| Skin is smooth and highly porous. | Skin is dry, hard and scaly. |