Varanus komodoensis


Learn more about Varanus komodoensis

  • Varanus komodoensis is a venomous Komodo dragon-like goanna growing up to 3 metres long.
  • Lived 4 million — 40,000 years ago.
  • Giant monitor lizard growing up to 3 metres long.
  • Razor sharp teeth for slicing flesh.
  • Meat eater, both predator and scavenger.
  • Venomous saliva which acts as an anticoagulant.
  • Arrived on the island of Flores over 900,000 years ago.
  • Threatened with extinction on last remaining islands surrounding Komodo Island.
  • Fossils of Komodo Dragons have been found in south-eastern, central-eastern and north-eastern Queensland.
silhouettes of a human and a prehistoric reptile
The known fossil bones of Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) from Australia. Image: Queensland Museum, Scott Hocknull. Original base skeletal drawing by Laurie Beirne.

Varanus komodoensis | Project DIG

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