The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard in the world. It can measure 3 metres in length, and weigh 70 kilos
Some zoologists believe it could be a subspecies of another large lizard which,
in the past, lived on the continent of Asia, in regions ruled over by the Chinese.
Perhaps that explains the importance of dragons in their traditions.
It’s sight and hearing are not very well-developed. To hunt, it relies on smell.
The dragon has picked up the scent of a deer. The hunt begins.
Every time it puts out its tongue, the particles carried in the air are trapped on its two tips.
It then places these tips against a special receptor, called Jacobson’s organ, located at the top of the mouth.
This analyses the particles and tells the dragon, not only of the presence of the deer, but also in which direction it can be found.
The deer also has a good sense of smell, and a change in the wind direction alerts it of the presence of the predator.
The dragon has lost the scent, but it continues to advance, all the time analysing the air.
Perhaps the wind will bring fresh news of its prey.
The deer is now beyond its reach, but the lizard does not give up.
There are many animals in the jungle, and at any time he may perceive the smell of other potential prey.
Little does he suspect there is one directly above him, watching in silence.
This one a very close relative.
It is a young dragon.
Such is the voracity of these animals that the adults do not hesitate to attack the young of the species.
To avoid being detected, these cover themselves in faeces to disguise their natural smell, and climb up into the trees,
where they will remain until the predator has moved off.
As long as they remain in the tree, they will be safe, even if they are detected, despite their olfactory camouflage.
The adults are too heavy to climb up into the tree after them.
After his failed attempt at hunting, the dragon heads towards the savanna, drawn by a familiar smell.
The open spaces are frequented by the large autochthonous herbivores, but also by the domestic cattle of the natives.
Both find here pasture and shoots on which to feed.