Are Komodo dragons prehistoric?
Over the past three years, we’ve unearthed numerous fossils from eastern Australia dated from 300,000 years ago to approximately four million years ago that we now know to be the Komodo dragon.
Are Komodo dragons older than dinosaurs?
Ancient komodo dragon-like animals had heads proportionally larger than dinosaurs. They existed during the time after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction, just a few million years before dinosaurs arrived on the scene—as such, they were an apex predator.
Is a dragon a reptile or dinosaur?
Whatever culture they appear in, dragons are always reptilian. That means the Mesozoic Era is the place to start. It lasted from 252 million years ago until 66 million years ago, and is known as the “Age of Reptiles”. The most famous Mesozoic reptiles are of course the dinosaurs.
What did a Komodo dragon evolve from?
The evolutionary development of the Komodo dragon started with the genus Varanus, which originated in Asia about 40 million years ago and migrated to Australia, where it evolved into giant forms (the largest of all being the recently extinct Megalania), helped by the absence of competing placental carnivorans.
What is the biggest Komodo dragon in the world?
These wild dragons typically weigh about 154 pounds (70 kilograms), but the largest verified specimen reached a length of 10.3 feet (3.13 meters) and weighed 366 pounds (166 kilograms). Males tend to grow larger and bulkier than females.
Are T Rex actually dragons?
Paleontologists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology (IVPP) have found the remains of a feathered, dragon-like forerunner of the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex.
Can a Komodo Dragon be a pet?
However there is one issue, Komodo dragons are an endangered and protected species. So no, it is illegal to own a Komodo Dragon as a pet. It’s also illegal to remove one of these lizards from their native habitat without express government approval.
How are Komodo dragons related to the dinosaurs?
Komodo dragon related to dinosaurs. As lizards komodo dragons are not closely related to dinosaurs. Now a study of fossil evidence from australia timor flores. Despite the fact that komodo dragons are very interesting and widely known there is a lot missing in our understanding of their natural history.
Where can you find a Komodo dragon in Indonesia?
Komodo dragon. Jump to navigation Jump to search. The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar.
Is the Komodo dragon and Megalania the same thing?
This research also confirms that both giant lizards, Megalania (Varanus priscus) and the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), existed in Australia at the same time. This research was published Tuesday in the Open Access journal PLoS ONE.
What kind of osteoderms does a Komodo dragon have?
The only areas lacking osteoderms on the head of the adult Komodo dragon are around the eyes, nostrils, mouth margins, and pineal eye, a light-sensing organ on the top of the head. Where lizards typically have one or two varying patterns or shapes of osteoderms, komodo’s have four: rosette, platy, dendritic, and vermiform.
Are Komodo dragons really Dragons?
Although not the fictional flying dragons of legend, Komodo Dragons or Varanus komodoensis are fantastical beasts. They are the largest lizard in the world. At approximately 3m or 10ft in length, they are the only lizard that would happily munch an entire human in one sitting.
What are some cool facts about Komodo dragons?
Interesting Facts about Komodo Dragons : 1. Komodo dragons are different from other animals, they used to eat bones and hooves as well. 2. Incredibly they used to eat 80% of its weight for one time. Assume that if a Dragon weighs 50 kg, used to have 40 kg in one shot. 3. Komodo dragons are great swimmers.
Is a Komodo dragon considered a dragon?
The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard living on Earth today, growing up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and weighing 150 pounds (68 kilograms) or more. Yet while this enormous reptile may not fly or breathe fire, the term “dragon” is less of a stretch than it may initially seem.
Do Komodo dragons have backbones?
This is because the Komodo dragon fits into the category of reptiles perfectly. Firstly it has a backbone, scales, does not live in water, so it breathes through its lungs rather than using Gills. Finally, it is also cold-blooded. With all these attributes it is a perfect fit to be classed as a reptile, no matter the size.