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August 30, 2005

Science Lesson #4 -Dragon Tales

What's 3 meters long weighs 100 kilograms and can practically stuff a whole
goat in its mouth? Sounds like a tall tale? Actually, it's the tale of the
Komodo dragon, known as "ora" to the local people of the Flores Island area,
the granddaddy of all monitor lizards.

There were rumors of these creatures long before their existence was
confirmed in the west. Fishers and pearl divers working in the area had
brought back tales of ferocious lizards with enormous claws, fearsome teeth
and fiery yellow tongues! One idea holds that the Chinese dragon is based on
the komodo lizard. The first Dutch expedition was to the island of Komodo in
1910; two dragons were shot and their skins taken to Java, which resulted in
their first published description.

Monitors are not left over from the dinosaur age. They are a
'new age' reptile and why they exist only on and around the island of Komodo
is a mystery. Local villagers never hunt the monitors, which aren't as good
to eat as the numerous wild pigs on the island. And, if stalking the
dragons, the hunter may become the hunted! Today, the ora are a protected
species.

Lesson Activities:

a.. Conduct a search on komodo dragons and create a diagram of this
fearsome lizard. Include measurements of its size and a description of its
features, such as its very strong tail and sharp claws. Identify how their
tail is used as a weapon and that's no tall tale!
b.. Describe the habitat of the Komodo dragon. What other animals live in
this habitat that provides food for these large lizards? What is their
temperament and how do they defend themselves against predators?

Posted by barb at August 30, 2005 4:11 AM

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