Adaptations+of+the+Komodo+Dragon

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__Extinct Komodo Dragon__
__Future Komodo Dragon__ = = =**__Adaptations of the Komodo Dragon:__**= = =

The Komodo dragon has adapted in many ways to suite its climate, habitat and eating habits. These adaptations include; powerful legs, bacteria in mouth, long, forked tongue etc.
__**Structural adaptation:**__

The Komodo dragon has very large powerful legs. These legs help this speedy, dangerous predator to catch and tear apart its prey. These legs have adapted to their fast moving prey, due to their feeding pattern being based around deer. Deer are very quick, so to catch the stealthy mammals, the Komodo Dragon needs strong, powerful legs.

__**Behavioural adaptation:**__

The Komodo dragon has a unique behaviour compared to most animals. It is very territorial and agressive towards other animals including its own kind. The reason for this behavioural adaptation is due to lack of food, so they need to be aggressive towards other animals to protect their territory and food, and also to attack prey.

__**Physiological adaptation:**__

The Komodo dragon has a special physiological adaptation which is the accumulation of bacteria found in its mouth. This bacteria can cause the death of small animals and make larger animals extremely sick and in some cases it can be fatal. This special adaptation allows for the Komodo to bite its prey, let it die, then go catch/eat it later. Inside the Komodo's mouth there is over 50 different types of bacteria. Once bitten by the Komodo, the prey then has these bacterias in its blood stream which leads to a slow death for the prey.

__**The Komodo Dragons habitat:**__

The Komodo Dragon lives in a harsh climate, which does not experience water often throughout the year. The landscape is very rocky and dry, although dry the habitat of the Komodostill has lets of trees and shrubs. The Komodo's habitat contains other animals such as; Deer, wild boar, wild buffalo, Snakes, other Lizards, Rodents etc. The average temperature of Komodo Island (located east of Bali and South of Flores). The Komodo Dragons world population live on the small islands which make up Indonesia (except for the ones in captivity).


 * __Komodo Dragons Diet:__**

The Komodo Dragon feeds upon any animal it can get, it is carnivorous meaning it is a meat eater. The dragons often attack any animal they are larger than and can overpower/kill. The main animals which Komodo Dragons tend to eat are; Deer, Water buffalo, Rodents etc. It is not rare for a Komodo to eat another Komodo which is smaller or weaker. Often, other Komodo Dragons can be 10% of a given Komodo Dragons diet.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/komodo-dragon/ http://dragon-komodo.com/ http://www.honoluluzoo.org/komodo_dragon.htm ||
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