Adaptations+of+the+Extinct+Komodo+Dragon

__ Modern Day Komodo Dragon__
__Future Komodo Dragon__

=__Adaptations of the extinct Komodo Dragon (The Megalania):__=

Just like the Modern day Komodo Dragon, the extinct relative the Megalania also had many adaptations which allowed it to survive and be a successful predator during its time period. The Megalania was approximately 2.5/3 times larger then the modern day Komodo Dragon.

__ **Structural adaptation:** __

The Megalania had many structural adaptations, such as large, powerful legs (just like the modern day Komodo) which where used for the same purpose, running at quick speeds to catch prey. But one main Structural adaptation the Megalania possessed was its large, sharp teeth. These really large teeth where used for tearing apart prey and meat. Along with the large, sharp teeth, the Megalania had a very large skull/jaw which would have been able to exert a large amount of power during its attacks on prey/ when provoked by other larger animals.

__ **Behavioural adaptation:** __

The Megalania was a very aggressive predator and extremely territorial. The reason for its territorial attitude was due to all the competition from other species trying to take its land/ food etc. The Megalania would have been much more aggressive compared to the modern Komodo Dragon because around the time of the Megalania there where many more predators and the competition for food was a lot bigger resulting in the Megalania being much more aggressive to fight of predators.

__ **Physiological adaptation:** __

The Megalania had a very special physiological adaptation, unlike the modern day Komodo Dragon which has bacteria contained in its salivawhich poisons prey, the Megalania had special venom glands which allowed for it to poison prey during attack. The Megalania was the most poisonous animal having a vertebrae known to man.

__ **The Megalania's habitat:** __

The Megalania lived in dry grassy land, Its habitat was around the regions what we now call Indonesia/Australia. This habitat explains the Megalania's ruff, thick skin, prevent from burns and injury etc.


 * __Megalania's Diet:__ **

The Megalania's diet consisted of large prehistoric deer and prehistoric rodents/marsupials. The Megalania was a carnivore meaning it only ate meat, so its diet only included other animals.

__**Bibliography:**__

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3046.shtml http://australianmuseum.net.au/Megalania-prisca http://dinosaurs.about.com/od/predinosaurreptiles/p/megalania.htm ||
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