What is the closest relative to the Komodo dragon?

What is the closest relative to the Komodo dragon?

Lace Monitor
Megalania possibly shares a sister-taxon relationship with the modern Komodo Dragon, though its closest living relative is the Lace Monitor. Like these relatives, it’s likely Megalania was a venomous animal, and if that’s the case it’s the largest venomous vertebrate to ever live.

Are lizards related to Komodo dragons?

The new research indicates that Komodo dragons were really part of a distribution of related species of really large lizards across the region, including Australia. In fact, in comparison to some of these other lizards, Komodo dragons are kind of small.

What is the world’s largest lizard found?

The Komodo dragon
The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard 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).

Are Gila monsters related to Komodo dragons?

Its name comes from the Gila River, where the lizards are common. The Gila monster is one of only small number of venomous lizards (including the Mexican beaded lizard, the Komodo dragon and some Australian species). It can bite quickly and hold on tenaciously.

Is there a lizard bigger than the Komodo dragon?

Lizards don’t get much bigger than the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), which can reach three meters in length and may weigh as much as 70 kilograms. Lizards don’t get much bigger than the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), which can reach three meters in length and may weigh as much as 70 kilograms.

What are Komodo dragons related to?

Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA shows the Komodo dragon to be the closest relative (sister taxon) of the lace monitor (V. varius), with their common ancestor diverging from a lineage that gave rise to the crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii) of New Guinea.

Is Komodo dragon related to dinosaur?

History and Evolution komodoensis share a common ancestor with dinosaurs, but do not descend from them. Both V. komodoensis and dinosaurs belong to the subclass Diapsida which is branched into two infraclasses: Archosauria (dinosaurs, including birds) and Lepidosauria (tuataras, lizards, and snakes).

What eats a Komodo Dragon?

Due to the fact that the Komodo Dragon is the most dominant predator in its environment, mature adults have no natural predators in their native habitats. The smaller and more vulnerable young however, seem to have adapted to spending their initial days in the trees to avoid being eaten by larger Komodo Dragons.

What zoos have Komodo dragons?

You can see them at zoos throughout the U.S., such as the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium in Ohio, or Pittsburgh Zoo in Pennsylvania, which have recently reopened after COVID-19 shutdowns.

Can Komodo dragons be pets?

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.

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.

How is the Komodo dragon related to the crocodile monitor?

Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA shows the Komodo dragon to be the closest relative (sister taxon) of the lace monitor ( V. varius ), with their common ancestor diverging from a lineage that gave rise to the crocodile monitor ( Varanus salvadorii) of New Guinea.

What kind of bacteria does a Komodo dragon have?

Saliva Although previous studies proposed that Komodo dragon saliva contains a variety of highly septic bacteria that would help to bring down prey, research in 2013 suggested that the bacteria in the mouths of Komodo dragons are ordinary and similar to those found in other carnivores. Komodo dragons have good mouth hygiene.

How long does it take a Komodo dragon to mature?

They take 8 to 9 years to mature and are estimated to live up to 30 years. Komodo dragons were first recorded by Western scientists in 1910. Their large size and fearsome reputation make them popular zoo exhibits.