Komodo Dragons
Komodo Dragon
On Labor Day, I went to the Colchester Zoo and saw this fascinating creature called the Komodo Dragon. It seems to blend with its natural surrounding which makes it harder to see; however, it was the biggest lizard I had ever seen. I suddenly began to wonder, why do they called it a dragon? When the name dragon is publicized, the first thing that comes to mind is a fire breathing dragon that can fly; like those suggested in story books and seen in animated movies. Komodo Dragon is the last species of dragon that doesn’t fly, and breathe fire that’s left in the world. Little is known about this creature, but its unique characteristics to survive and hunt made it the most feared predator on Komodo Island in Indonesian.
According to Lisbeth Dermody, writer for Cricket magazine, Komodo Dragon is an ancient species whose ancestors date back to Mesozoic Era. The present day Komodo Dragon can weigh up to 365 pounds, and grow as long as 10 feet tall. “Like mythological dragons, this creature is covered with scales that look like chain mail armor.” Douglas Burden, of the American Museum of Natural History, originally examines Komodo Dragon in their natural habitat on Komodo Island, Indonesia in the early nineteen century (Dermody). Linda Wirkner, a 2011 Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrations (SCBWI) Magazine Merit award winner, conclude that there are less than 5,000 komodo dragons alive today. The World Conservation Union considers komodo to be susceptible to injures, even though they are on top of the food chain; however, they were killed in the past to protect farm animals and small children by the local inhabitants. Even though it’s unlawful to chase or slay a komodo dragon people are its biggest threat. To guarantee the komodo survival, a plan has been put in place to prevent humans form invading the Komodo Dragon territory (Wirkner). Can you imagine a reptile twice your size chewing on a small child? There have been a few incidents that
On Labor Day, I went to the Colchester Zoo and saw this fascinating creature called the Komodo Dragon. It seems to blend with its natural surrounding which makes it harder to see; however, it was the biggest lizard I had ever seen. I suddenly began to wonder, why do they called it a dragon? When the name dragon is publicized, the first thing that comes to mind is a fire breathing dragon that can fly; like those suggested in story books and seen in animated movies. Komodo Dragon is the last species of dragon that doesn’t fly, and breathe fire that’s left in the world. Little is known about this creature, but its unique characteristics to survive and hunt made it the most feared predator on Komodo Island in Indonesian.
According to Lisbeth Dermody, writer for Cricket magazine, Komodo Dragon is an ancient species whose ancestors date back to Mesozoic Era. The present day Komodo Dragon can weigh up to 365 pounds, and grow as long as 10 feet tall. “Like mythological dragons, this creature is covered with scales that look like chain mail armor.” Douglas Burden, of the American Museum of Natural History, originally examines Komodo Dragon in their natural habitat on Komodo Island, Indonesia in the early nineteen century (Dermody). Linda Wirkner, a 2011 Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrations (SCBWI) Magazine Merit award winner, conclude that there are less than 5,000 komodo dragons alive today. The World Conservation Union considers komodo to be susceptible to injures, even though they are on top of the food chain; however, they were killed in the past to protect farm animals and small children by the local inhabitants. Even though it’s unlawful to chase or slay a komodo dragon people are its biggest threat. To guarantee the komodo survival, a plan has been put in place to prevent humans form invading the Komodo Dragon territory (Wirkner). Can you imagine a reptile twice your size chewing on a small child? There have been a few incidents that
Cited: Cheater, Mark. "Chasing The Magic Dragon." National Wildlife 41.5 (2003): 38R. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 8 Sept. 2011. Dermody, Lisbeth. "Dragon Spit." Cricket 34.9 (2007): 26. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Sept. 2011. Wirkner, Linda. "Here There Be Dragons." Spider 17.6 (2010): 21. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Sept. 2011.