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Animal Kingdom Animals > Komodo Dragon > Flashcards

Komodo Dragon Flashcards

1
Q

What is the largest species of lizard in the world?

A

The Komodo dragon.

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2
Q

What Indonesian islands are Komodo dragons found on?

A

Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar.

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3
Q

How long can Komodo dragons get?

A

Up to 10 feet.

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4
Q

How heavy can Komodo dragons get?

A

Up to 365 pounds.

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5
Q

How old are fossils similar to Komodo dragons?

A

3.8 million years

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6
Q

Where were the fossil descendants of the Komodo dragon found?

A

Australia.

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7
Q

Some people dispute that Komodo dragons are venomous. Why?

A

There are proteins in their saliva that are secreted from their lower jaw. These proteins are a powerful anticoagulant.

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8
Q

What is the conservation status of the Komodo dragon?

A

Vulnerable.

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9
Q

Are Komodo dragons agressive?

A

Kind of, they generally run, but they have been known to attack and kill people. They will hiss and swish their tail before they do it though.

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10
Q

When does mating take place for Komodo dragons? When are the eggs laid?

A

Between May and August. The eggs are laid in September.

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11
Q

Where do Komodo dragons lay their eggs?

A

In abandoned game bird nests or self-dug burrows.

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12
Q

When do Komodo dragon eggs hatch?

A

April.

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13
Q

Why do Komodo dragon eggs hatch in April?

A

It is when insects are most plentiful.

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14
Q

How many eggs does the Komodo dragon lay?

A

Around 20.

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15
Q

How do young Komodo dragons avoid predators including cannibalistic adults?

A

They climb trees.

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16
Q

What age are Komodo dragons sexually mature at?

A

8 years.

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17
Q

How long can Komodo dragons live?

A

Up to 50 years.

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18
Q

When were Komodo dragons first described by Western scientists?

A

1910.

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19
Q

How large is an average male Komodo dragon?

A

180 pounds and 8.5 feet long

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20
Q

How long is a Komodo dragon’s tail?

A

As long as its body.

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21
Q

How long are the teeth of the Komodo dragon?

A

1 inch.

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22
Q

Are the teeth of the Komodo dragons flat or serrated?

A

Serrated.

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23
Q

How many teeth does the Komodo dragon have?

A

60.

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24
Q

Do Komodo dragons replace their teeth?

A

Yes.

25
Q

Why is the saliva of the komodo dragon often filled with blood?

A

Its teeth are covered in gums that are lacerated when it feeds.

26
Q

What are osteoderms?

A

Tiny bones that form plates and scales in the skin.

27
Q

What is the purpose of osteoderms?

A

They can be used as armor or heat-exchangers. They can also allow crocodillians to stay under for a long time by regulating the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

28
Q

How do osteoderms prevent respiratory acidosis from occurring?

A

The calcium and magnesium from the dermal bone will release specialized ions into the blood stream that will act as a buffer against acidification.

29
Q

How many ear bones does the Komodo dragon have?

A

One.

30
Q

Can komodo dragons hear as well as humans?

A

No.

31
Q

Describe the eyesight of the Komodo dragon.

A

It is able to clearly see objects up to 300 feet away, but has poor night vision.

32
Q

How far away can a Komodo dragon smell carrion?

A

Six miles.

33
Q

What is the preferred habitat of the Komodo dragon?

A

Open grassland, savanna, and tropical forest.

34
Q

When is the Komodo dragon most active?

A

During the day.

35
Q

What does the native name for the Komodo dragon mean?

A

Land crocodile.

36
Q

How fast can komodo dragons run?

A

Up to 12 mph.

37
Q

How deep can Komodo dragons dive?

A

Up to 15 feet.

38
Q

Are Komodo dragons social?

A

No, they only get together to breed and eat.

39
Q

As the Komodo dragon gets older and is unable to climb trees, what are its claws used for?

A

Fighting.

40
Q

How large are Komodo dragon burrows?

A

3 - 10 feet wide.

41
Q

When do Komodo dragons hunt?

A

In the afternoon.

42
Q

What do Komodo dragons eat?

A

Carrion, eggs, mammals, reptiles, and birds.

43
Q

How do Komodo dragons hunt?

A

They ambush their prey from cover and attack the underside or throat. They will also use their tail to knock down prey.

44
Q

Do Komodo dragons chew?

A

No. they tear chunks of their food and swallow it whole.

45
Q

What is the largest prey a Komodo dragon can swallow whole?

A

A goat.

46
Q

Why don’t reptiles choke when they are swallowing things whole?

A

They have a special tube in their mouth below their tongue that allows them to breathe.

47
Q

How much of their body weight can Komodo dragons eat per meal?

A

80%

48
Q

How many meals does a Komodo dragon eat per year?

A

Around 15.

49
Q

True or false, Komodo dragons regurgitate pellets like owls.

A

True.

50
Q

How is the hierarchy in a Komodo dragon group decided?

A

Largest animals are dominant and eat first. Equal sized dragons will wrestle for dominance.

51
Q

What do young Komodo dragons eat?

A

Insects, eggs, lizards, and small mammals.

52
Q

Why do the killer bacteria in the mouth of Komodo dragons vanish in captivity?

A

Cleaner diets and use of antibiotics.

53
Q

True or false, it is often the bacteria in the mouth of the Komodo dragon that causes sepsis to set in.

A

False. Komodo dragons have good oral hygiene and spend time cleaning their mouths after eating. It is often the anticoagulant and the tendency of prey to retreat into septic water that causes sepsis to set in.

54
Q

How will the male Komodo dragon court the female?

A

It will lick her or rub its head against her neck.

55
Q

What is unique about some Komodo dragon relationships?

A

They are monogamous.

56
Q

What movie was inspired by the first western expedition to observe and capture the Komodo dragon?

A

King Kong.

57
Q

How many Komodo dragons are left in the wild?

A

4,000 to 5,000

58
Q

What are some threats to the Komodo dragon?

A

Loss of habitat, volcanic activity, decline of prey species, and poaching.

Animal Kingdom Animals (26 decks)

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