Why Komodo Dragons Haven’t Conquered the World

Question: how do you square the idea that they don’t seek to expand their territory, show signs of inbreeding, yet have been around for hundreds of millions of years?

Since the dawn of time man has been doomed by hubris. We can learn much from the other living things that we share the planet with, e.g. "Enough is enough."

We chanced upon a Komodo dragon stalking a water buffalo on a walking tour with the park rangers on Rinca Island, having arrived by a little motor skiff we charted from an island north of Flores. The water buffalo was trapped in a flooded pit, in its death throes, while the Komodo bided its time waiting for it to die. The dragon had probably nipped it days before with its infectious (not venomous) saliva. The stench was unbearable. It made for an excruciating smartphone video.

One more reason that Indonesia is not on my travel list.

I find these animals rather relatable.

Just like a lot people. :) They like to go home and sleep in their own bed at night. I wonder if they roast marshmallows and make s'Mores?

I saw Komodo dragons at the Houston Zoo while I was killing time waiting for my Westie's hip replacement surgery with Dr. Liska to conclude. There were several Komodo dragons in the exhibit, and as I walked by they ALL made eye contact with me and their intent was unmistakable. It was chilling. On subsequent trips to the zoo, I made sure to NOT go by that exhibit.

They haven't conquered the world because they don't breathe fire like the dinosaurs... Duh. What kind of reporting is this? :) Seriously though, I really enjoy these science snippets.

Every time I read about Komodo Dragons I can’t help but think of the classic hilarious Bob and Ray sketch.

I'm surprised the writer didn't consult the world renowned Komodo dragon expert, Dr Darrel Dexter of Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

There are surely biologists who are experts on the relative risks and rewards of dispersal versus staying home. Komodo dragons are surely subject to the same survival restrictions and evolutionary pressures as other organisms, though perhaps on a larger scale since they're so big. Is Dr. Jessop an expert on movement or is he more of a Komodo expert? It would be good to hear a few more theories about movement here.

They make great pets. Except that is illegal and if they bite you the infection from their nasty saliva will agonizingly kill you in a few days and they will come back to eat your dead body in about a week. Better to keep a pet Boa and drape it around yourself.

I really like reptiles. I especially like lizards. And how can you not love a super large lizard that is named a "Dragon?" Although I would definitely give a wide berth to a creature that can grow to over 8 feet and up to 200 pounds, and is able to kill a person with its venomous bite.

Uh because we have guns and they don't?

Komodo dragons are the epitome of nature's mindlessness and ugliness. One can of course choose to characterize them as merely quirky, but a penchant for cannibalism seems to be a poor example of a quirk. These wretched creatures could not have been made by god.