Today's Living Dragons
Written and researched by Margaret Odrowaz Sypniewski, B.F.A.

The legends of dragons seem to invade every country in the world. Did dragons really exist on this planet? This page will explore this question.

Of course, in the ancient world dinosaurs existed on this planet. We have found their bones and fossils all over the world. Some of them walked upon land and some were aquatic. Today we still have animals that are descendants of the dinosaurs>

The Komodo Dragon:

The Komodo Dragon is a large lizard that still exists today. The Komodo lives on the islands of Komodo, Flores, Pintja, and Pada located west of Java. These dragons live in grasslands. Its Latin name is Varanus komodensis and it's a member of the same family as monitor lizards. The Komodo is ten feet long and weighs 360 pounds. These lizards are all voracious carnivores. The Komodo even has talon-like claws and large jagged teeth. Their forked tongue, like all serpent's tongues, flicks in and out. They can climb and swim with equal proficiency. They choose to live by the water. They eat hog deers and wild boar.

The Gila Monster:

The Gila monsters have two poisonous members of its family (Helodermatidae). The Gila Monster is found in the south-western U.S.A. and Mexico.

Crocodiles and Caimans:

The largest and most dangerous crocodile is the Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) that lives in Southern India, Indonesia, and Southern Australia. They grow to 19 1/2 feet, but are now considered endangered. Their leather was much sought after. Hunting these creatures is now restricted. The Estuarine Crocodiles are aquatic and seldom spend much time on land.

Agamid Lizards:

The Soa, Soa Water Dragon comes from New Guinea, Moluccas, and Sulawesi. They live in the rainforests and are 3 1/3 feet long, including a 29 inch tail. They eat plants, insects, and millipedes.

SOURCES:

Whitfield, Dr. Philp. MacMillian Illustrated Animal Encyclopdia New York: MacMillian Publishing Company, 1984.

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Webmaster and author: Margaret Sypniewska, B.F.A.
Owner: Raymond Sypniewski, B.S., M.A.
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This page was last updated on March 18, 2005

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