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Environment- komodo dragons live in the //lesser sunda islands.// The islands are very hot and humid and full of food for the dragon. The islands are full of jungles, plains, volcanoes, and mountains because they are situated on the ring of fire. The islands are called Komodo, Gila Motang, Rinca, Flores, and Padar. the komodo dragons nest on Megapode nests or dig into a hill and lay around 20 eggs.

Food - Komodo dragons have a nose, but instead of using it to smell they use their very long tongue and their Jacobson's organ on the roof of their mouth instead. with a wind from the dead animal towards the komodo dragon, it can find the animal 4-9.5 km away! The dragon may look frightening after feeding, but that is because it has large gums that are naturally cut as it is feeding, so it has blood-tinged saliva. the 'poison' as some people would call it is actually the deadly bacteria //staphylococcus.// here is a komodo dragon kiling a deer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n6Riq-d4W_o Komodo's can't drink water as humans would, because they do not have a diaphragm, and they can't drink like cats or dogs, because they can't lap with their tongue, they fix this problem by scooping up water in their mouth, and tilting their head back. Shelter - Komodo dragons sleep in burrows during the night



__**(Harry) Factors which are affecting the animal's ability to live in the wild-**__ There are around 5000 Komodo dragons in the World, meaning the IUCN Redlists of Threatened Species described the Komodo Dragon as //Vulnerable//. Their main threats are:
 * Poaching-** Komodo Dragons have been the largest and most powerful animal were it lived so always did not have to worry about another predator attacking them. Which meant when humans arrived they were not scared and would not run away, making it very easy for any poachers to get close to spear or shot without the Komodo becoming worried. The poachers killed the Komodo for its popular crocodile like skin. This is one of the most damaging, to the population because poachers would go out and kill 10, skin them and leave the carcass before getting another 10.
 * Habitat and Food Destruction**- A very large reason why Komodo dragon numbers have decreased is because of habitat and food destruction. In the past they were hunted but now there main risks is from tourist organisations that come to the islands for the diving and to see this ancient beast. On one island named 'Padar' the Komodo Dragon has become extinct mainly because of habitat modification by tourists organisations and local families claiming more land from the Komodo Dragons, it was also partly because the local people hunted deer which is the Komodo's main source of food.They have also become endangered on the island of Flores because of the clearance of coastal forrest and deer poaching. Habitat loss has already caused the loss of over 150 km long area of the northwest coast of Flores with either local construction or tourist.


 * Natural Disasters-** Komodo dragons have not only been affected by human destruction, they have been affected by mother natures harsh world. Over history their has been a lot of volcanic eruptions in that area because the islands of Komodo are right in the ring of fire which is a ring on the world were there is the most volcanic eruptions happen. Some volcanoes have erupted and taken out an entire island in the past leaving nothing but rock hard molten lava. It is only because of the Komodo's ability to swim that they have survived these volcanic eruptions.

Another reason why Komodo Dragons are becoming endangered is because 10% of their diet involves other smaller Komodo Dragons. Personally I think that Komodo Dragons should be allowed to live peacefully by themselves as they have for so many years before we discovered them. Unluckily because of their dominant nature they are not afraid of anything including poachers making them easy targets. Considering they have only been discovered by humans just over 100 years ago there population has plummeted, and if this continues they aren't looking at a promising future. 

Komodos only need 12 meals over the year at a minimum.
 * Random Facts-** Komodo dragon females __don't__ need a male to reproduce, this is called parthogenisis!



Wallacea- http://www.freewebs.com/wallacea/komodo.htm Endangered Animal List- http://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/library/field/komodo-monitor.html Komodo Dragon - http://edwindwianto.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/komodo-dragon-the-worlds-largest-lizard-from-indonesia/ Komodo Dragon biogeography - http://www.sfsu.edu/~geog/bholzman/courses/316projects/komodo.htm Komodo Dragon Info - http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/komodo-dragon/
 * //Bibliography//**

For more info on this wonderful animal see: http://sic-9-indo.wikispaces.com/Riley+%26+Liam