Komodo Dragon: The Deadly Bite

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Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Abney Money and I'm Rich Schwartz. Welcome to Amazing Wildlife, where we explore unique stories of wildlife from around the world and uncover fascinating animal facts. This podcast is a production of I Heart Radio in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in international nonprofit conservation organization that oversees the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and we have a great show for you Today. We're talking about a carnivorous reptile, the Komodo dragon. You will discover more about the world's largest living lizard and the challenges it faces. There's so many fascinating facts about the komodo dragon, from its cool name to sheer size. Let's jump right in. Where do you want to start? Yes, eventy, there is a lot to cover with the Komodo dragon, but let's start with the most impressive fact. They are absolutely the huge lizards. If we were to measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, a female commodo dragon can reach up to six and a half feet in length. That's a lot, but males can get as long as ten feet with that same measurement and pound for a pound, they don't hold back. Females can weigh as much as a hundred and fifty four pounds, and males get this tip the scales sometimes at three hundred pounds and this is just a lizard. Wow. Commonal dragons are part of the monitor lizard family, which includes about fifty species of lizards that range in size. So why is it that the commodo dragon is so big? Is there a link between its size and something else, like maybe its age or habitat Well, there are several ideas out there as to why the commotive dragons are so large. One of the more popular theories we have found is that due to no predatory competition and minimal human interference for thousands of years, the species grew and evolved to hunt native deer in the ecosystem. Go big or go home, right, But keep in mind, recently they have found fossils that show that lizards of the same size have been around in other parts of the world, So the theory may change as we learn more. Rick What exactly is a monitor lizard? So the monitor lizard family is a group of different lizards that range in size and locations around the globe, mostly in what we referred to as the Old World, so that's Africa and Asia. Some tend to hang around more wet environments. Some thrive in dry areas. Uh. Some get very large, of course, like our friend the Komodo dragon, and some not nearly as big and actually do well in the trees. This species intrigues so many of us, possibly because we like saying dragons. Where does the name commodo dragon come from? It really is pretty interesting. Komodo dragons were unknown by a Western scientists until their common name comes from the early rumors of a large dragon like lizard occurring in the Lesser Sunda Islands, including Komodo, which is one of the islands in the area. So you know, hence the name Komodo dragon. And I can kind of see how the yellow color of the Komodo dragon's tongue flicking in and out kind of reminded people of the spitting fire of the dragon. So again, Komodo dragon. Speaking of the Komodo dragon's mouths, they're known for having a deadly bite. Can you tell us more about that? So this is something scientists have gone back and forth on for quite a while. The bite of the Komodo dragon is not truly venomous like we think of maybe a rattlesnake or a cobra bite, but due to powerful enzymes in their saliva and a lot of bacteria in their mouth, the reaction from the bite is similar to being bitten by a venomous reptile. Now it's a very powerful bite, and as they dig those teeth in, that bacteria and those enzymes get into the wound and cause a lot of damage. Now they'll usually release their bite and allow their prey atom to wander off, but as time goes by, that bacteria and the pressure of the bike cause enough damage that animal slows down and and stops, allowing the dragons to catch up. So it may not be venomous, but it's deadly. Does the commonal dragon have any other adaptations that makes it able to consume prey that's so much larger than its own size? Really, the answers all in the bite, because they're able to deliver that powerful bite and then kind of just sit back and follow their prey because unfortunately that wound bleeds and leaves a trail for them to follow with that sense of smell that they have, and eventually they'll catch up to their prey. They're very strong and powerful animals, so when that prey item does go down, a group of dragons are gonna really go in and have their feast. As you were telling us, the commonal dragon's unique tongue has gained its comparison to a mythical creature. But how else do they use their tongues? Yes, very similar to snakes. We know snakes will flick their tongue in and out, and there's a lot of myths and legends around what that might mean. But the truth of the matter is the same cells that you and I have in our nose to smell things, whether it's freshly baked cookies or something that doesn't smell good, those receptor cells are picking up small particles in the air that we're breathing in. So for snakes and commodo dragons and many other species out there, flicking the tongue in and out picks up those same particles that you and I would bring into our nose. But what's different that tongue than brings those particles to the roof of the mouth. In the roof of the mouth is an area called the Jacobson's organ, which is basically a cluster of receptor cells like we have in our nose, but for them it's in the roof of the mouth, and this tells them what's in the environment. It's actually a very good way for them to follow their prey after they've made that initial bite. Unfortunately, as you know, the Commodo dragon is moving towards extinction and is on the Red List. What is the Red list and why is the Commonto dragon on it? The Red List is very interesting. It comes to us from the International Union of Conservation of Nature, sometimes referred to as IUCN Red List, and the Red List of Threatened Species is a comprehensive list of the global conservation status of biological species from threatened, vulnerable, endangered to critically endangered. In the case of the Komodo dragon, they are listed as endangered, meaning the population is at risk of extinction. Some of the challenges the komodo dragon's face in the wild right now is loss of habitat, and some of that is due to residential and commercial development. Sometimes there's loss of resources as well. We can see over hunting of certain areas, even trapping of some of their prey items, which makes it challenging for them, of course, to survive, and then there's even the chance that we can see natural disasters hitting their area. Now the good news on this what's always important when we talk about why species are facing challenges of possible extinction, we want to talk about to what is happening to help prevent that. So there's new legislation coming out to help protect and manage their habitat in the wild, which is always very valuable for any species, and there's also international work to see what can be done to prevent illegal trading of the species as well. In June, the Stego Zoo opened its brand new Komodo Kingdom. Rick, what can you tell us about this brand new habitat? Oh, yes, somebody, Honestly, it was so awesome. I was lucky enough to be there the day that Komodo Kingdom opened to the public, and it is so cool. When people walk into this space, they're going to be able to explore the different environments of the Komodo dragon, you know, including the beach, woodlands and the mountain highland areas. I mean, they thought of everything, and it's not just about our guest experience, of course, it's for the Komodo dragons. They love their pools. One of the female that was there, she was kind of just sit on her heated rock and joined the mister. When we were opening to the public was great, you know, the media was there and everything, and it's all really just specially designed to recreate the dragons native region where they can be found. Wow, I go a little jealous. So a beach, a wooded area, mountains, with everything that has gone into making the Comodo dragons feel at home in this new habitat, Can we expect any sort of expansion? Will there be more dragons at it? Maybe possibly like the pitter patter of little dragon feet? Yes, yes, and yes to all of that. Uh, they really didn't think of everything, like I said, when they were planning this and building out this habitat. And one of the main things, of course, as we mentioned, Commodo dragons are an endangered species, so of course the hope, as you said, is to eventually have that pitter patter of baby dragon feet. It's funny because we talked about that sort of doing like the pitter patter feet. It's kind of joking, but it's actually a very serious thing. With many of our endangered species, including the Komodo dragon. We work with other zoos and know what's called or kind of referenced as SSP, and that simply means the Species Survival Program for Komodo dragons. And they're every species that's out there pretty much in zoos has some version of this. And what that means is the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and other zoos we kind of all coordinate together to make sure whatever komodo dragons are breeding and when they're going to breed, we want to make sure we know everything about each individual. This gives us basically the best possible outcome for this population that we're gonna have in zoos. You know, we want to make sure they're genetically diverse, which is going to keep the population healthy. And why is the zoo population is so important? Well, unfortunately, as we've learned with many other species, should there ever be a day where they go extinct in the wild, this population in zoos will be what brings them back. So baby dragons sounds so cute, but this is really serious. So there's a lot of research in science involves Yes, yes, indeed, thanks. Now it's time for the San Diego Zoo Minute, an opportunity for you to learn what's new at the Zoo. Are you ready? In February of the San Diego Zoo will welcome you to Wildlife Explorers Base Camp, four acres of wildlife adventure, all with one amazing goal to encourage young wildlife explorers to learn about nature, actively play, encounter new species, and develop an empathy for wildlife. At Wildlife Explorers Base Camp, you can interact, climb, scramble, and jump in innovative nature play areas. Visit habitats from around the world, from desert dunes and wildwoods to marsh meadows and rainforests. Learn by doing and through a variety of one of a kind experiences with animals. You'll connect like never before to the natural world and understand the importance of conserving wildlife. A world of explorative play and adventure awaits wildlife explorers of every age and size. Feel what it's like to be wild at Wildlife Explorers Base Camp only at the San Diego Zoo. Fun Fact Base Camp at the San Diego Zoo will feature many species ranging from leaf cutter ants to slats. Speaking of slats, did you know too told Slavs are nocturnal, being most active at night, while three told Slavs are diurnal, which means they're most active during the day. We'll be right back. I've learned so much today about the Komodo dragons, and we're not done yet. The world's largest reptiles are a favorite among our young listeners, and today we have a question from Soren. What do Komodo dragons eat. Komodo dragons are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals, so they will hunt wild boar, sunda deer, water buffalo, large snakes, and other animals native to the island. But if they come across it, they'll also eat some carry on two, which is an animal that's already passed our Komodo dragons related to dinosaurs? Are Komodo dragons related to dinosaurs? Well, so we're honestly, just looking at them, you'd think they were. I can see why you would ask that. But get this. The earliest fossil record of the Komodo dragon goes back about four million years, which is really a long time ago. But dinosaurs, well they went extinct about sixty five million years ago, so there's almost sixty million years difference between when dinosaurs were going extinct in the first ancestors of modern day Komodo dragons existing. So sorry to say commodo dragons are not dinosaurs. How long do Komodo dragons live So the best of our knowledge, so are in Commodo dragons live on average thirty thirty five years. And I gotta say those were some pretty good questions, man, I really appreciate you taking the time to send those in. And hey, anybody else, any of our young listeners, if you have an animal question or two or even three, please send us an audio file of you asking your questions to Wildlife at I heart media dot com. Then keep listening to see if we answer your questions in an upcoming episode. And that's our show for today. Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe and tune into next week's episode, in which will bring to the story of the King of the Jungle, the Gorilla, the largest of the primates. I'm Abdi Money and I'm Rich Schwartz. Thanks for listening. For more information about the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, go to stz w A dot org. Amazing Wildlife is a production of I Heart Radio. Our producer is Nikkia Swinton. Our executive producer is Marci de Pina, Our audio engineer and editor is Amina Gnatra, with assistance from Matt Stillo and James Foster. For more shows from my Heart Radio, check out the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.