A Docile Vegetarian

This striking dinosaur is one of the most widely studied in the history of paleontology. The first fossils were discovered by Othniel C. Marsh in 1877 in the American West, during the “Bone Wars.” This quadruped herbivore could measure up to 29.5 feet (9 m) long and weigh up to 2.2 tons (2 metric tons). Because of its small head, it has been used since the 19th century as a symbol of stupidity. It was later shown that most dinosaurs had small brains and that Stegosaurus's brain was larger than average.

Stegosaurus
was an ornithischian dinosaur that belonged to the family Stegosauridae. Its distinctive features included wide plates on its back and four spines, up to 24 inches (60 cm) long, on its tail. The function of these features is still under debate, but it is believed that they served mainly for self-defense. Stegosaurus was an easy victim for the great predators of its time, such as Allosaurus, but it is also believed that it may have been hunted by packs of small predators, such as Ornitholestes. It is doubtful that Stegosaurus could raise itself up on its hind legs, so it probably fed mostly on low bushes.

Head
Its lightweight head had
small teeth that were of
little use for chewing, so it
swallowed plants whole.

Legs
Its front legs were
half as long as its
hind legs. Each
foot had five wide,
short toes.

Tail
Stegosaurus's only
real defense was likely
the four spines on its
tail, which it swung
back and forth.

PLATES
These triangular bony structures were not very solid, but they had a complex network of veins.The plates were likely use to regulate the animal's body temperature or even for courtship.

STEGOSAURUS
Stegosaurus armatus
Size 29.5 feet (9 m)
Diet Herbivorous
Habitat Subtropical Forests
Epoch Late Jurassic
Range North America

WHERE IT LIVED
The first fossils were found in Colorado. Other specimens have since been found in India, western Europe, southern Africa, and China.

The “Age of Reptiles”

The “Age of Reptiles”
The first period of the Mesozoic Era gave rise to the “Age of Reptiles.” On land, the synapsids, which
later developed into mammals, began to decline, and the archosaurs, or “dominant reptiles,” lived
in various habitats. The earliest crocodiles began to develop, along with turtles and frogs, among
others. The pterosaurs ruled the air and the ichthyosaurs the water. The dinosaurs—another order of
archosaurs—appeared in the Middle Triassic, approximately 250 million years ago. Toward the end of
the Triassic Period, many other reptiles declined dramatically, and the dinosaurs began their reign.

The First Dinosaurs
The most primitive dinosaurs were very small in comparison to their relatives of later epochs. Most of them have been found in South America. They were carnivores. Some were scavengers, and others were highly agile hunters. They shared very primitive morphological structures with other reptiles of their group, the archosaurs. Mixed with these primitive structures, however, were advanced bone forms similar to those of the predators that would dominate the Cretaceous Period. These predators were known as the theropods.
Throughout the Triassic Period, the early dinosaurs were an uncommon subgroup of reptiles. Toward the end of the Triassic Period, the first large herbivores appeared.

Eoraptor
Eoraptor fossils were discovered in 1991 in northwestern Argentina. This small carnivore lived 228 million years ago and measured up to 40 inches (1 m) long. It had sharp teeth and agile hind legs for running and chasing its prey. It may also have eaten carrion.

EORAPTOR
Tiny predator whose name
means “thief of dawn”

HOLLOW SHAPE
is what Coelophysis means.

Mussaurus
The only known fossils of this species were
found alongside eggshells. They were no more
than 8 inches (20 cm) long. Their adult size is
unknown, but it is estimated to have been as
much as 6.5 to 8 feet (2-2.5 m). They are
known to have been herbivores.

MUSSAURUS
means “rat reptile.”

Coelophysis
This skilled carnivore could grow up to 9.2
feet (2.8 m) long. Two types of fossils have
been found. They are believed to be males
and females, respectively. Fossils of
this biped hunter have been found
in the United States in several
southwestern states.



HERRERASAURUS
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
Size 13 feet (4 m)
Diet Carnivorous
Habitat Conifer Forests
Epoch Late Triassic
Range South America

Herrerasaurus
is one of the most ancient dinosaurs. It is considered a key to understanding the path dinosaurs took to dominate the following 160 million years. The first fossils were found in the early 1960s in the Ischigualasto valley in northern Argentina by an official paleontological commission headed by Osvaldo Reig. He named
the dinosaur in honor of the local guide who found it. Since then several complete skeletons have been found.

A TRUE CARNIVORE
One of the traits that defined this animal as a
dinosaur was its typical theropodian head. Its
narrow skull had nasal cavities in the front
part of its snout, and its eye sockets were part
of a hollow bony structure, making its skull
both lightweight and strong.

MOUTH
Its tubelike teeth were more
curved than those of other
carnivores that followed, but they
were sharp and serrated like those
of its theropod relatives.

LIMBS FOR HUNTING
Like its head, this dinosaur's limbs had
the same proportions as the later giant
predators of the Cretaceous Period. Its
small front limbs were designed for
capturing prey.

FRONT LIMBS
The relative size of its front limbs
suggests that this animal mainly
walked on two feet. Each hand had
three long claws and two short ones.
Its hands were able to grasp with the
help of “thumbs” slightly opposed to
the other claws. Its hand was a
formidable weapon for attacking and
holding prey, an earlier form of the
hands of other theropods.

HIND LEGS
On its lower limbs, this
dinosaur's toe bones show a
high degree of superposition.
The toe bones of the first
digit, although well
developed, are very short and
lightweight compared to the
second, third, and fourth
toes. These long, strong feet
enabled Herrerasaurus to
run while bearing the great
weight of its body.

PELVIS
Herrerasaurus was a very
early saurischian with a
primitive sacrum, ilium,
and hind legs but a highly
developed pubic bone and
vertebrae. These traits
show that this dinosaur
had unique
characteristics in its
spinal column.

SPINAL COLUMN
The central vertebrae are high and
short, and the neural arches have
square-shaped projections that are
thicker toward the back. There are
only two sacral vertebrae.

TAIL
Most predators used their
tails to keep their balance
while chasing their prey.

REPTILES OF INDIA

REPTILES OF INDIA
Reptiles have originated some 300 millions years ago and are found in nearly all parts of World, except the very cold regions There are more than 6000 species in all. Of the 518 species of reptiles found in India, nearly 192 species of reptiles are endemic to India. All three living orders of reptiles have their representatives are the order Crocodilia containing the crocodiles and gharials with 3 species, order Testudines (turtles and tortoises) with 34 species and Order Squamata (lizards and snakes) with 202 species of lizards and 279 species of snakes. In India reptile rich areas are the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas Andaman & the Nicobar Islands and are generally endowed with many endemic species.

Of the 518 species of reptiles found in India,
nearly 192 species of reptiles are endemic to India.
o Reptiles are mainly exploited for their Skin, flesh, and shell.
o Over population, urbanization and habitat destruction are the factors leads to exploit the reptiles population.
o Snakes are real friends of farmers because it control the rodent population.
o All the reptiles are protected under the Indian wildlife (protection) act 1972.
o Zoological Survey of India is conducting various surveys, scientific and conservation programme on Indian faunal resources to colleges, research institutions and student communities in India.

Komodo Dragon And Chameleons

Wacky Feature
Some animals don't have similarities in their adaptations but a chameleon and
komodo dargons do. One similarity is a komodo has fast speeds that go up to 30
to 38 MPH and can grow up to 10 feet long and 350 pounds.And an chameleon can run
up to MPH wow and grow up to be 5 pounds.

Some difeerences chameleons dragons can have is they booth have sharp teeth and talons.

Weird Places
 The two animals akomodo and a chameleon have differnces in the way they live
and where they live. A komodo dragon lives on Komodo Island and a chameleon lives in a desert.

 A komodo and a chameleon have a foe similarity. One differences is a komodo has dried trees like a chameleons.
One last one is a komodo has patches of grass just like a c chameleons.

Srumptious
 Our last paragrafh i about similarities in their diet or food. One similarity is they both eat bugs like ants and
beetles. and both some times both eat meat. And one last similarity is they both will eat ants.
 Some differences are a chameleon eats only bugs and a komodo only eats meat like deer or rabbits.And a chmeleon eats
bugs like beetles, ants, and flay's.



Wacky Facts
A komodo daragon can grow up to ve ten feet long
A chameleon has the fastest tough in the animal kingdom
A komodo has two inch teeth
A Chameleon has small grip hairs that are too small for people to see
A komodo has super sharp long talons or claws
A chameleon has a tough longer the it's own body

Fiere Looks

Fiere Looks
Komodo dragons and chameleons many similarities in the way look.
Thee animals booth have brown rough skin. Anot lher similaritiastes both komdo and a
chameleon have long claws or talons. One last similarity is that they both have keen eye
sigth so they can see for at least half a mile.

These two animals have many differences in the way they look too. One difference is a komodo dragon
has gooey slime that has posion in it to kill pery. In contrast
a chameleon has a tongue to reel in food too its mouth the it ahomps on it and swallows.
One last, difference is a komodo dragons have very big and sharp teeth. On the other hand chameleons have
razor teeth to catch its food.

Turtles and Snakes

In this chapter, you will discover the amazing world of turtles and snakes. You will learn what they are like inside, where they live, and how they hunt their prey, as well as why some eat only eggs and others, such as constrictors (the most primitive snakes), have to suffocate their prey by coiling around it.

This chapter will also reveal interesting facts about turtles' skeletons and shells (for example, turtles that swim have streamlined shells that enable them to glide easily through the water). Although people may think that turtles are peaceful creatures, many are actually carnivorous hunters that eat small invertebrates, fish, and even some larger animals.

Dinosaurs

During the 170 million years from the late Triassic Period to the late Cretaceous Period, an extraordinary group of animals, called the dinosaurs, dominated the Earth. Some were small, but others were gigantic. Some ate only plants and had long necks, and others had sharp .

Currently we are increasingly wellinformed about dinosaurs because of the findings of paleontologists, who study the fossilized teeth and bones of these animals. Sometime during the late Cretaceous Period, dinosaurs disappeared from the face of the planet in an event known as the K-T extinction event. Some attribute the dinosaurs' disappearance to the impact of
a large meteorite with the Earth. In this chapter, you will find very detailed illustrations of these prehistoric creatures.

REPTILES AND DINOSAURS

Feared and Worshipped

Because of their frightening appearances, snakes, dragons, and crocodiles are found in the legends and myths of peoples throughout the world. In sculptures, paintings, and masks used for various ceremonies, many of these animals are represented as good or bad gods or are associated with magical powers. The snake is usually linked to the primordial waters from which life was created. In Asia, it is said that nagas (sacred serpents) are descended from Kasyapa, the father of all life. Consequently, it is common during popular festivals for both men and women to dance disguised with masks that represent these animals in order to frighten away evil spirits and seek protection. Certain Papuan peoples believe that crocodiles have special powers, and in Europe, mythical winged dragons that breathe fire are viewed as the guardians of
treasures. Throughout history, these animals have been both feared and respected, objects of fascination and
passion. The purpose of this book is to reveal, in detail, what reptiles are really like. Here you will find clear, precise information about the appearance and behavior of reptiles, including dinosaurs—a group of reptiles that dominated the globe for millions of years. This fascinating book, which features specially prepared
illustrations and images, will reveal details about these creatures as if they were alive
on these pages.

Did you know that reptiles were the first vertebrates to become totally independent of aquatic
environments? This was made possible by the emergence of the amniotic egg. Its shell and membranes enabled reptilian young to develop on land without the need to return to water. Today there are about
8,200 classified species of reptiles in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. These species include turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and tuataras. Clues about the lives of many of these animals can be found by examining their feet. Different species use their feet to scale walls, climb slender stalks, or run across loose, hot sand dunes. Some reptiles live underground, while others prefer the surface. Since their body temperature is variable, reptiles tend to spend many hours in the sun exposed to direct solar rays and infrared radiation released from heated surfaces.

With their long, narrow bodies, snakes are different from all other reptiles because they have long spines with many vertebrae. Although they cannot hear in the way mammals do, they can detect low-frequency vibrations in the soil that reveal the presence of predators or prey. Most snakes are carnivorous and can eat objects larger than their own bodies. Stealthy, undulating crawling, sudden color changes, and oversized jaws are other identifying characteristics of reptiles— amazing animals with extraordinary traits that have enabled them to survive for millions of years.

Each page of this book will help you to become familiar with these creatures that are so different from humans. Some of them give birth to completely developed young. They are not born fragile and immature, dependent on their parents to feed and take care of them, as most mammals are. Reptile species also vary widely in the types of scales they have. Their scale may have defensive knobs and spines, as is the case with the tails of some lizards, or they may form crests along their necks, backs, or tails.

Although snakes are some of the most commonly feared animals, only one out of ten is dangerous. Few people know that snakes are timid creatures that prefer to stay hidden. Most snakes will never attack unless they feel threatened and use warning mechanisms and behaviors before attacking. Unfortunately, others are poisonous—so most snakes are hated and persecuted. The process of learning more about them and learning to identify the really dangerous ones may help us to keep them from disappearing. Many reptile species today are in danger of extinction because of indiscriminate hunting and habitat destruction. Not only ecologists but all people must be concerned about their welfare, helping to ensure that they continue to be part of life on Earth.

Crocodiles & Snakes

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are large lizard like reptiles which can live in water and on land. The body of crocodiles are covered with a tough hide like skin with bony plates. The adult crocodiles are dull in colour but the young are brightly colored with dark brown spots or bar on the back. They are strictly carnivorous and live in lakes, rivers and estuaries, it is an excellent swimmer. The eyes have a transparent third eyelid permitting limited under water vision. It lays oval hard shelled eggs which are buried in the soil or in the nest of soil and vegetation for incubation. Parental care is in the form of guarding the nest by the female. They can live up to 70 years.

Snakes

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpents that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears Most species are non-venomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Non-venomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction. Snakes are strictly carnivorous, eating small animals including lizards, other snakes, small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, and snails. Because snakes cannot bite or tear their food to pieces, they swallow whole prey. Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica and on most islands.

Parthenogenesis Comodo

River, a Komodo dragon at London Zoo, has been laying in early 2006 after being separated from males for more than two years. Scientists initially assumed that she is able to store sperm from her earlier encounter with a male in the past, an adaptation known as superfecundation.

On December 20, 2006, it was reported that Flora, the Komodo dragon living in the Chester Zoo, UK is the second known Komodo dragons produce eggs without fertilization (conception of marriage). He took out 11 eggs, and 7 of them hatched.

Scientists at Liverpool University in northern England performed genetic tests on three eggs that collapsed after being moved to an incubator, and verified that Flora had physical contact with a male. After this surprising finding, testing showed the eggs river and get that rose eggs produced without outside fertilization.

Komodo has a ZW chromosomal sex-determination system, instead of XY sex-determination system. Flora offspring that are male, indicating the occurrence of a few things. Flora is: that unfertilized eggs are haploid at first and then doubling the chromosomes themselves become diploid, and that he did not produce diploid eggs, as might happen if one cleavage-reduction process of meiosis in ovaries fail.

When a female Komodo dragon (have a ZW sex chromosomes) produce children in this manner, he left only one of the pairs of chromosomes they have, including one of the two sex chromosomes. A single set of chromosomes is then duplicated in the egg, which develops partenogenetika. Eggs that received Z chromosome will become ZZ (male), and who received a W chromosome will become WW and fail to develop.

Suspected that this sort of reproductive adaptation allows a female animal enters an isolated ecological niche (such as islands) and then by parthenogenesis produce male offspring. Through his marriage with it in the next time these animals can form a sexually reproducing population, because it can produce male and female offspring. Although such an adaptation, zoos are cautioned that parthenogenesis may be detrimental to genetic diversity.

On January 31, 2008, Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas became the first zoo to document parthenogenesis in Komodo dragons in America. The zoo has two adult female Komodo dragon, which one of them produced 17 eggs on May 19-20 2007. Only two eggs were incubated and hatched due to space availability issues, the first hatched on January 31, 2008, followed by the second on February 1. Both pups that are male

Reproductive Period Komodo

Reproductive Period Dragon

The mating season occurs between May and August, and the dragons eggs laid in September. During this period, male dragon fighting to retain females and territory by way of "wrestling" with another male while standing on his hind legs. Komodo the losers will fall and "locked" into the ground. Both the male dragon may vomit or defecate when preparing for battle.

Winner of the fight will be flicking tongue length on the female's body to see the acceptance of the female. Females are antagonistic and resist with their claws and teeth during the early phases of courtship. Therefore, the male must fully restrain the female during coitus to avoid being hurt. Another behavior shown during this process is the male rubbing their chins on the female, hard scratches on the back and licked. Copulation occurs when the male enter one hemipenisnya into the female's cloaca. Komodo dragons may be monogamus and form "pair , "a rare trait for a lizard.

Females will lay their eggs in holes in the ground, scraping cliff nests hill or mound of burnt-orange legs that have been abandoned. Dragons prefer to keep their eggs in nests that have been abandoned.  A Komodo dragon nest contains an average of 20 eggs which will hatch after 7-8 months. Females lay on the eggs to incubate and protect until hatch around April, at the end of the rainy season when there are so many insects.

Hatching is an exhausting effort for the pups, who came out of their eggshells with an egg tooth to be dated after the hard work is completed. After cutting out the egg shells, hatchlings may lie in their eggshells for hours before starting to dig out of the nest. When hatched, the babies are not how helpless and can be eaten by predators.

  Young Komodo dragons spend their first years in trees, where they are relatively safe from predators, including adult dragons are cannibals, that approximately 10% of the food is a young lizard-lizard who successfully hunted. Komodo dragons take about three to five years to mature, and may live more than 50 years.

In addition to the normal reproductive process, there are several examples of cases of female dragons produce children without the presence of males (parthenogenesis), a phenomenon that is also known to occur in several other species of reptiles such as Whiptail Lizards.

Ecology, Behavior and Lifestyle Komodo

Komodo is naturally only found in Indonesia, on the island of Komodo, Flores and Rinca and several other islands in Nusa Tenggara. Living in open dry grasslands, savannas and tropical forests at low altitudes, this lizard likes it hot and dry place. They are active during the day, although sometimes it is also active at night. Komodo dragons are largely solitary, coming together only to breed and eat.

Large reptiles can sprint up to 20 miles per hour in short distances; swim very well and can dive as deep as 4.5 meters; as well as clever climb trees using their powerful claws. To catch prey that is beyond its reach, the Komodo dragon may stand on its hind legs and use its tail as a support.  With increasing age, dragon claws are used primarily as a weapon, because of its large size makes climbing impractical.

For shelter, dragons dig holes 1-3 meters wide with the front legs and strong claws. Because of her size and habit of sleeping in a hole, dragons can conserve body heat throughout the night and reduces the time sunbathing on the next morning. Komodo generally hunt at noon until late afternoon, but still shade during the hottest part of the day. These places hidden dragons are usually located in the dunes or hills with the sea breeze, open from vegetation, and here and there manure scattered inhabitants. The place is generally also a strategic location to ambush deer.

Feeding behavior
Komodo dragons are carnivores. Although they eat mostly carrion, studies show that they also hunt live prey with a stealthy approach followed by a sudden attack against the victim. When the prey arrives near the hidden dragons, animals be attacked on the underside or the throat. Komodo dragons can locate its prey using its keen sense of smell, which can locate a dead or dying animal at a distance of 9.5 kilometers.

Ancient reptiles ate by tearing large chunks of flesh and then swallow her whole body while the legs hold her prey. For small prey up for lamb, the meat can be spent on one swallow. Stomach contents of prey in the form of herbs are usually left untouched.

Reddish saliva and out in large quantities is very helpful to dragons in swallowing prey. However, ingestion still take a long time; takes 15-20 minutes to swallow a goat. Komodo is sometimes trying to speed up the process of swallowing it by emphasizing carrion prey to a tree, so that the carcass can get past the throat. And sometimes the efforts to push it so hard that the tree was to be collapsed.

To avoid so as not to choke when swallowing, dragons breathing through a small tube under the tongue, which is connected directly to the lungs. jaws that can be developed freely, flexible skull, and stomach stretched to allow dragons eat a tremendous large prey, up to 80% of their own body weight in one meal.

After eating, walking dragons dragged her body stuffed seek sunlight for sunbathing and speed digestion. Otherwise, the food could rot in the stomach and poison their own bodies. Due to a slow metabolism, large dragons can survive by just eating 12 times a year or about once a month.

Once the meat is digested prey, the Komodo dragon regurgitates a mass of horns, hair and teeth prey, in clumps mixed with foul-smelling mucus, which clumps known as gastric pellet. After that rubs its face in the dirt or on bushes to clean up the remnants of the mucus, behavior which led to speculation that it, like humans, do not like the smell of her own spit.

In the collection, most large-sized dragons usually eat first, followed by smaller according to the hierarchy. Most males show dominance through body language and desisannya; were greeted with the same language by male-male other smaller to show its recognition of that power. Prey were of the same size may be fighting pitting forces, the monitor lizards wrestling kind of way, until one of them admit defeat and retreat; although sometimes that can be killed in a fight lost and devoured by the winner.

Komodo dragons prey is wide-ranging, and includes invertebrates, other reptiles (including the smaller-bodied dragons), birds and their eggs, small mammals, monkeys, wild boar, goats, deer, horses, and buffalo. Young Komodo dragons prey on insects, eggs, lizards, and small mammals. Sometimes the dragons also prey on humans and bodies unearthed from a shallow grave pit. This practice led to Komodo island residents avoid sandy soils and choose bury the corpse in clay, and covered it with stones that can not be extracted dragons.

There is also a suspect that dragons evolved to Stegodon dwarf elephant that ever lived on Flores.Komodo also been observed when the shock and scare the deer pregnant female, in the hope that a miscarriage and the fetus can be eaten carcass, a behavior which also found in large predators in Africa.

Because it does not have a diaphragm, dragons can not breathe in water or licking water to drink (like a cat). Instead, the dragons 'scoop' the water with the rest of his mouth, then lifted his head so that the water flowing into the stomach.

Can and bacteria

In late 2005, researchers from the University of Melbourne, Australia, concluded that Perentie lizard (Varanus giganteus) and other lizard-lizard, and the lizards from the tribe Agamidae, is likely to have some sort of can. It was known that the wounds caused by bites of these animals are very prone to infection because of the bacteria that live in the mouth of these lizards, but the researchers suggest that the direct effect that appears at the bite wounds can be caused by the inclusion of a magnitude medium.

These researchers have observed the wounds in the hands of humans from the bite lizard Varanus varius, V. scalaris and dragons, and all of them showed a similar reaction: rapid swelling within minutes, localized disruption of blood clotting, pain that gripped up to the elbow, with some symptoms that last up to several hours later.

A gland that can contain highly toxic has been successfully retrieved from the mouth of a Komodo dragon at the Singapore Zoo, and convince the researchers will be content that belongs dragons.

In addition it contains can, dragons saliva also has a variety of deadly bacteria in it, more than 28 Gram-negative bacteria Gram-positive and 29 have been isolated from the saliva. These bacteria cause septicemia in their victims. If not directly kill the dragons bite prey and the prey can escape, generally unlucky prey will die within a week of infection.

The most deadly bacteria in Komodo dragon saliva bacteria Pasteurella multocida presumably is highly lethal; known through experiments with laboratory rats. Because the Komodo dragon appears immune to its own microbes, much research was done to find antibacterial molecules in the hope it can be used for human treatment.

Regarding Fisiologi Komodo

Komodo does not have the sense of hearing, despite having the ear hole.Komodo is able to see as far as 300 m, but because the retina contains only cones, these animals do not seem so well seen in the darkness of night. Komodo is able to distinguish colors, but not how to distinguish stationary objects.

Komodo dragon uses its tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, like other reptiles, with the vomeronasal sense using a Jacobson's organ, a sense that aids navigation in the dark.With the help of the wind, and his habit of cocking his head to the right and to the left when walking, dragons can detect the presence of carrion as far as 4-9.5 kilometers.Komodo dragons' nostrils olfaction is not a good tool because they do not have a diaphragm.These animals have no sense of taste in the tongue, there are few nerve endings taste in the back of the throat.

Dragons scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, have sensory plaques connected to nerves that facilitate the sense of touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet may have three or more sensory plaques.

Komodo dragons were thought to be deaf when a study reported that whispers, raised voices and shouting did not result in agitation (interference) in the wild dragons. This was disputed when London Zoological Garden employee Joan Proctor trained lizards to eat out with his voice, even when she could not be seen by the lizards.

Regarding Komodo ||

Anatomy and morphology Komodo

In the wild, adult Komodo dragon usually weighs around 70 kilograms, but the dragons are kept in captivity often have a greater body weight. The largest verified wild specimen there was 3.13 meters in length and weighing about 166 kilograms, including the weight of undigested food in the stomach. Although Komodo dragons are the largest lizards listed as still alive, but not the longest. This reputation held by Papua lizard (Varanus salvadorii).

Skin Komodo

The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as the body, and about 60 pieces of sharp serrated teeth along approximately 2.5 cm, which is often substituted. Their saliva is often blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue and this tissue naturally lacerated during feeding .This creates an ideal culture for the virulent bacteria that live in their mouths.

The Komodo dragon has a long tongue, yellow and forked. Komodo dragons males larger than females, with skin the color of dark gray to brick red, while the female is more colorful dragons green olives, and have a small piece of yellow on throat. Young Komodo dragons more colorful, with yellow, green and white on a black background.

Physiology
Komodo is sunbathing.

Komodo does not have the sense of hearing, despite having the ear hole. Komodo is able to see as far as 300 m, but because the retina contains only cones, these animals do not seem so well seen in the darkness of night. Komodo is able to distinguish colors, but not how to distinguish stationary objects.

Komodo dragon uses its tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli, like other reptiles, with the vomeronasal sense using a Jacobson's organ, a sense that aids navigation in the dark. With the help of the wind, and his habit of cocking his head to the right and to the left when walking, dragons can detect the presence of carrion as far as 4-9.5 kilometers.Komodo dragons' nostrils olfaction is not a good tool because they do not have a diaphragm. These animals have no sense of taste in the tongue, there are few nerve endings taste in the back of the throat.

Dragons scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, have sensory plaques connected to nerves that facilitate the sense of touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet may have three or more sensory plaques.

Komodo dragons were thought to be deaf when a study reported that whispers, raised voices and shouting did not result in agitation (interference) in the wild dragons. This was disputed when London Zoological Garden employee Joan Proctor trained lizards to eat out with his voice, even when she could not be seen by the lizards.

For postings that dragons can be viewed here --> Regarding Komodo

Regarding Komodo

Komodo, or more so-called Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis ), is the world's largest lizard species that live on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Mota, and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara. The Lizard by Native Komodo island is also called by local names ora.

Including members of the lizard family Varanidae, and klad Toxicofera, dragons are the largest lizards in the world, with an average length of 2-3 m. Their large size is attributed to island gigantism, the tendency for the body meraksasanya certain animals that live in small island linked to the absence of mammalian carnivores on the island where dragons live, and metabolic rate are small dragons. Because of the body, these lizards occupy the position of a top predator that dominate the ecosystems in which they live.

Komodo dragons are found by western researchers in 1910. Her body is great and terrible reputation makes them popular zoo. Komodo dragons in the wild habitat has shrunk due to human activities and therefore IUCN include dragons as a species vulnerable to extinction. This large lizard is now protected under Indonesian law and a national park, namely Komodo National Park, established to protect them.

Ecology, behavior and way of life
Legs and tail dragons.

Komodo is naturally only found in Indonesia, on the island of Komodo, Flores and Rinca and several other islands in Nusa Tenggara. Living in open dry grasslands, savannas and tropical forests at low altitudes, this lizard likes it hot and dry place. They are active during the day, although sometimes it is also active at night. Komodo dragons are largely solitary, coming together only to breed and eat.

Large reptiles can sprint up to 20 miles per hour in short distances; swim very well and can dive as deep as 4.5 meters;  as well as clever climb trees using their powerful claws. To catch prey that is beyond its reach, the Komodo dragon may stand on its hind legs and use its tail as a support. With increasing age, dragon claws are used primarily as a weapon, because of its large size makes climbing impractical.

For shelter, dragons dig holes 1-3 meters wide with the front legs and strong claws. Because of her size and habit of sleeping in a hole, dragons can conserve body heat throughout the night and reduces the time sunbathing on the next morning. Komodo generally hunt at noon until late afternoon, but still shade during the hottest part of the day.These places hidden dragons are usually located in the dunes or hills with the sea breeze, open from vegetation, and here and there manure scattered inhabitants. The place is generally also a strategic location to ambush deer.


For information about Komoda which will be posted in the next post

About Animals Reptile's

Reptiles (reptile) is a group of cold-blooded vertebrate animals and have scales that cover its body. Reptiles are tetrapods (animals with four limbs) and spawn eggs embryo enveloped by amniotic membrane. Now they live every continent except Antarctica, and now they are classified as :

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Upafilum: Vertebrates
Goodrich, 1916
Subclass

•     Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, garhial, caimans, and alligators): 23 species
•     Order Sphenodontia (tuatara New Zealand): 2 species
•     Order Squamata (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenia ("worm-lizards")): approximately 7,900 species
•     Order Testudinata (turtles, turtle, and terrapin): approximately 300 species 

The majority of reptiles are ovipar (spawn) Squamata although some species are viviparous (give birth). Viviparous reptile feed their fetuses using a type similar to placental mammals.

Reptile size varies, from measuring up to 1.6 cm (small gecko, Sphaerodactylus ariasae) up to 6 m and weigh up to 1 ton (saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus). Branch of science that studies reptiles is herpetology.

Taxonomy

Classification by Benton, 2004, using the principles of evolution and the line combined with taxonomy Linneaeus

• Order therapsid
• Mammals class
• Class Sauropsida
• Subclass Anapsida
• Order Testudines (tortoises and turtles)
• Subclass Diapsida
• Order Araeoscelidia
• Order Younginiformes
• Infrakelas Ichthyosauria
• Amniotic
• Class Synapsida
• Order Pelycosauria
• Infrakelas Lepidosauromorpha
• Superorder Sauropterygia
• Order Placodontia
• Order Nothosauroidea
• Order Rynchosauria
• Subdivision Avemetatarsalia
• Infradivisi Ornithodira
• Order Pterosauria
• Superorder Dinosauria
• Order Saurischia
• Class Aves
• Order Ornithischia
• Order Plesiosauria
• Superorder Lepidosauria
• Order Sphenodontia (tuatara)
• Order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
• Infrakelas Archosauromorpha
• Order Prolacertiformes
• Division Archosauria
• Subdivision Crurotarsi
• Superorder Crocodylomorpha
• Order Crocodilia
• Order PhytosauriaOrder Rauisuchia

Reference

Benton, Michael J. (2004). Vertebrate Paleontology (3rd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd..
Educational institutions Reptiles, Aspera
Aspera is the educational institutions and the protection of reptiles. This institution was founded on concern for the preservation of reptiles and negative stigma society to the existence of reptiles on July 4, 2011. These institutions often invited to various events to socialize reptiles.

Iguana lover community
Growing hobby maintain reptiles, iguanas make as an alternative herbivorous reptile lovers. This affects the emergence of many iguanas community in Indonesia. One rapidly expanding community is Iguana Lovers Community, a community of Iguana Lovers who was born in February 2011.