Published November 19, 2022 | Animal Knowledge, Animals, Conservation, Endangered, Wildlife

Komodo Dragon is the largest lizards on the world endemic to East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Seen from its nest, most of female Komodo making nest on the ground or mound. Female will dig decoy nest chambers to discourage predators, including male Komodos and other female dragons.

Reproduction

Meet komodo dragon in Bali Safari

The mating season occurs between May and August, and can lay 20-30 eggs around September. The incubation period of eggs is for seven to eight months long and hatching period in April. Female komodo will take care of the nest even during the rain, to ensure the eggs hatch safely. On a rare behavior, Komodo Dragons may be monogamous and form “pair bonds”!

However, on recent research reveal that female Komodo dragons can lay fertilised eggs without having a male. This rare form of asexual reproduction is ‘Parthenogenesis’. In every case, the off-spring are always males!

Life Cycles of Komodo Dragon

Similar to many lizards, there are four distinct phases and life cycles of Komodo:

The Egg Stage – Most female Komodo dragon lay eggs in a quite deep, about 2 meters into the ground. It is to make sure the environment in which eggs will develop maintains a stable temperature and moisture. Eggs will then take up to 9 months to hatch.

Hatcling Stage –  After hatcling, young Komodo will live on the trees to avoid predators, adult komodo and even their own mother. Insects are a main food source for young Komodo dragon.

baby komodo dragon

Immature Stage – By the age of 2 years, the young Komodo will be more focus on the ground. In 5-6 years they will increase their body mass up to about 15 kg.

Adult Stage – Komodo is considered as adults at about 8-10 years of age. They will begin to utilize a “wait and ambush” strategy to hunt prey.

Komodo Dragons are facing and Endangered Status in the wild due to nature and human’s treats. Bali Safari Park attempt to take an action preserving this big lizard. Gladly, we managed to hatch baby Komodo Dragons naturally this year. What an achievement!