Now confined to just a few small Indonesian islands, fossil finds from Queensland tell us that the Komodo dragon once called Australia home. While here, the dragons interbred with a type of sand monitor most similar to a goanna.
Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of the Indonesian Islands for millions of years. Fossils, from 50,000 years ago, show they used to live in Australia once upon a time! Due to the increasing threats of habitat destruction, poaching and natural disasters, these dragons are considered a vulnerable species.
After the Australian Reptile Park became the first zoo in Australia to successfully breed and hatch Komodo dragons in April 2022, the Central Coast wildlife park is now the only place in the country where visitors can see hatchling Komodo dragons.
After overseeing the potentially dangerous mating process for both dragon and keeper, seven months of incubation and finally the hatching of the eggs – the Australian Reptile Park has become the first zoo in Australia to successfully breed and hatch Komodo dragons.
"We can assume that the komodo may have kicked along in Australia right up until human arrival. There's no reason to assume not." "Perhaps humans were the cause of their extinction; perhaps it was climate change, perhaps a combination of both.
Komodo (Indonesian: Pulau Komodo) is one of the 17,508 islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia.
The sharp, serrated shape of a Komodo dragon's tooth makes it easy for bits of rotten flesh to get caught in the reptile's mouth, turning their saliva into a mini-habitat for harmful bacteria that can cause untreated bite wounds to become septic. Researchers have also documented a venom gland in the dragon's lower jaw.
Description: The Perentie is Australia's largest lizard. Its body is rich brown with large cream or yellow markings. It has a forked tongue and numerous very sharp, slightly curved teeth. The Perentie also has a strong tail and powerful legs with five, clawed toes.
Since komodo dragons are in danger of extinction, they are illegal to own as pets. There are strict laws in place to protect these animals, and they are strictly enforced. It is even illegal to take these animals out of their own habitats or even to bring them into other countries.
Garden Skink
They may be shy and quick to hide when you approach, but garden skinks are some of the most common and well known buddies in Australian backyards. Male skinks are highly territorial and aggressively attack other males during spring.
One of Australia's largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.
Three recently hatched in an Australian zoo and are winning hearts with their frisky behavior and striped snouts. Mother Daenerys and father Kraken are the first successful breeding pair of Komodo dragons in Australia. Their babies represent new hope for the future of this endangered species.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo was the first zoo outside of Indonesia to successfully hatch Komodo dragons.
He identified the new species as the Scawfell Island leaf-tailed gecko, or phyllurus fimbriatus, the study said. The gecko's scientific name, fimbriatus, is Latin for “fringed” and refers to the texture of its tail.
Adelaide Zoo is home to two Komodo Dragons – female Cecilia and the newly arrived male Naga.
Perth Zoo partners with the Komodo Survival Program which works to protect the Komodo Dragon and its habitat. Beyond tracking and monitoring the dragons, the organisation also tracks their prey to ensure there is sufficient supply.
They can be very dangerous to keep around children or even adult humans, especially animals. Their name suits them well, as Komodo dragons are true carnivores that attack all sorts of animals in the wild, even humans. While the Komodo is not known to feed on humans, attacks have been reported.
Komodo dragon attacks are rare occurrences, especially in the United States. Attacks are believed to be highly infectious and venomous, leading to demise of its prey. We present a case of a 43-year-old female zookeeper attacked by an adult dragon leading to tendon and neurovascular injuries.
The Monaro grassland earless dragon (Tympanocryptis osbornei or 'Osborne's hidden ear dragon') is one of Australia's rarest reptiles. It is small, weighing between six and nine grams, and has a very short lifespan. It lays only three to six eggs once a year, just under the ground where the sun can warm them.
Australia Zoo is the only zoo in Queensland where you can get up close with a Komodo dragon!
Check out Australia Zoo's Gila Monster!
This venomous lizard is a must see while visiting the Zoo. Frequenting deserts and scrublands of south-west United States and northern Mexico, these reptiles are one of the few venomous lizards found around the world!
Attacks on humans are rare, but Komodo dragons have been responsible for several human fatalities, in both the wild and in captivity. According to data from Komodo National Park spanning a 38-year period between 1974 and 2012, there were 24 reported attacks on humans, five of them fatal.
A lion would win a fight against a Komodo dragon. Lions are larger and heavier and have something that the Komodo dragon lacks: the ability to kill their enemy with a single blow.
The Komodo dragon is a living dinosaur and the world's largest lizard. Komodo dragons can grow up to 3-4 metres in length and weigh over 100kg. Found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, there is a stable population of about 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons in the wild.