The Evolution of Komodo Dragons

Dutch sailors heading back from the more remote islands of Indonesia would tell stories of sightings of dragons, sometimes fire breathing giant beasts. When the islands were studied they were found to not be dragons but a new undiscovered animal, a mysterious giant lizard. They may not be dragons but they definitely look like they are from another time and differ from most apex predators of other ecosystems around the world. So how did a large ancient lizard come to rule over these islands?

If I have used artwork that belongs to you but have neglected to credit it this will just be because I was unable to find one. If this has happened please contact me and I will add a credit. Some Art work has been altered for the purposes of bettering them for video format; these alterations were done independent from the artists who created the original work, so they are not responsible for any inaccuracies that could have occurred with the changes being made.

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[purplehaze]

The fact that there's a pretty good chance there was a point in history at which cow-sized elephants were hunted by giant monitor lizards is frankly kind of surreal to me. Island evolution is a hell of a drug.

[damyenhockman]

I would say being the last surviving giant lizards is more intimidating than if it was island gigantism.

[bkjeong]

One more thing to note is that Komodo dragons not only originated in Australia, they actually made it even further west than their current range indicates, outside of Australasia. They managed to colonize Java back when it was part of Sundaland and thus a part of mainland Eurasia. Not only that, this also means they coexisted with tigers and leopards.

[MammothChats]

I hope these relics of the past continue to thrive, and appreciate every day their species has survived.

[dtgamerk]

Another reason monitors became successful predators is breathing. Lizards run and breathe using the same set of muscles, putting that top speed cap and a short run timer. Monitors overcame this with that big puffy throat/neck. Its actually muscular enough to pull air in and out, allowing them to breathe and run.

Love the content Moth Light! Keep it coming!

[a.wenger]

Wow I always thought they were the result of island gigantism, but it seems Komodo dragons are a relict population from an entire family of even larger lizards.

[SlothOfTheSea]

Whenever I see a Moth Light Media upload, my day gets a little better.

[TakoyakiStore]

That's actually pretty odd. Usually island dwarfism or gigantism takes place as there's typically some sort of change to an animal once it gets locked to an isolated environment. But on Komodo Island and Flores they have remained morphologically stable all things considered. I guess that it's such a successful and flexible body form that little change is needed to adapt.

[PraetorianMan]

Something to point out about giant lizards competing with mammalian carnivores.

1. The giant lizard on Timor you mentioned was able to survive for millions of years alongside modern leopards and hyenas, and
2. There are now mammalian carnivores on Komodo as well. Feral dogs have been let lose on the island for quite a long time now and the balance of power between the dogs and the lizards is heavily stilted in favor of the lizards.

As it turns out, “giant lizard with serrated shark teeth and a venomous bite” has a lot going for it, and it’s not the kind of thing that mammalian predators can easily quash.

[mariastevens]

The video I never imagined, but the one I definitely needed. My favorite animal of all time. These things have natural chainmail in the form of interlaced bones along the inside of their skin. They have sensory organs in their feetthat detect vibrations up to a kilo out. Both an excellent sense of smell plus a Jacobson organ. Excellent eyesight. Unhinged jaw though they can just tear flesh. Better hearing than most reptiles. Digs, swims, climbs (though more easily when younger), adopted immunity to lethal bacteria that grow in the wounds that are constantly created in their gums every time they close their mouths by slicing the gum tissue that grows quickly over the entire tooth. Just an absolute unit of a predator.

[dinohall]

One of my favorite modern animals, and probably the most badass lizard alive. So cool to see their evolutionary history. Another video I didn't know I needed but am glad I watched!

[theflyingdutchguy]

the perenti is one of the kost famous monitor species. they are famous for tripotting to look for prey or danger. imagine a 3 foot lizard standing on its back feet balancing on its tail. it looks so badass

[kotarojujo]

So, Dragon, Giant Birds, Elephant and Hobbit. Flores basically are real life middle-earth.

[ladywindermeresfan]

i’ve visited komodo island and seen the dragons. some just chilling and doing their lizard thing, some even fighting each other. they are truly terrifying. you suddenly become thoroughly aware that you are not the apex predator here. and yet, the first thing we saw when we arrived at the beach was a tourist, calmly ignoring the increasingly frantic yelling of the guide and taking pictures while a salivating dragon was jogging towards him. and i guess that’s how humans took over the world 🤷‍♀️

[normalwan]

We have nile monitors in south africa and let me tell you even though they're smaller than komodo's they are still very scary

[Grubgotkicked]

love your content so much, thank you for what you do. i would really love another video on insects or any invertebrates in general!

[rdsyafriyar]

"I desired dragons with a profound desire. Of course, I in my timid body did not wish to have them in the neighborhood. But the world that contained even the imagination of Fáfnir was richer and more beautiful, at whatever the cost of peril." - J.R.R. Tolkien

[Nazrigar]

Awww yes! I'm so glad you're doing something about Komodo Dragons! They're among my favorite animals, alongside the tiger!

[Andrea-rwtf]

I think they’re fascinating, and scary all at the same time.

[reisingerii]

Best I've seen in a long time! You have done your homework, good job!