Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis was recognized and protected by the international community very early, officially included in CITES Appendix I from July 1, 1975. The earth dragon Varanus komodoensis was successfully jointly proposed by Vietnam and the European Union with 75% consensus at the Conference of CITES member countries in 2022 and officially belongs to the CITES Appendix from February 23, 2023.
Komodo Dragon: Treasure of Indonesia
Komodo dragon (scientific name is Varanus komodoensis) is an endemic and extremely endangered, precious and rare animal. This is a reptile species that is only distributed in Indonesia (specifically on 4 islands: Komodo, Rinca, Flores and Padar) and they also monopolize the areas where they appear.
Komodo dragons are the longest-lived among reptiles with a maximum lifespan of 50 years (wild individuals). This is also the largest lizard (165kg) and longest (3m). Komodo dragons prefer to live in hot, dry places, and often live in dry grasslands, savannas, and low-altitude tropical forests. It is most active during the day. Their speed can reach 20km/h, dive up to 4.5m deep and climb trees expertly.
Komodo dragons are also a species with very good senses: they can see up to 300m away, have a sense of smell to detect food, and the tip of their tongue detects main scents. The Komodo dragon is the top predator in its habitat and one of the largest animals present in the area. It is also a scavenger, eating recently dead animals and removing them from the landscape.
The diet of normal adult Komodo dragons consists mainly of carrion, but they can attack and eat a variety of large prey, including goats, pigs, deer, wild boar, horses, water buffalo, and small Komodo dragons. than. Komodo dragons hunt larger prey by ambushing them and biting. They then follow the injured animal until blood loss or infection occurs.
The Komodo dragon’s saliva is full of bacteria, so it quickly causes infection in its prey. Their saliva contains more than 50 different strains of bacteria that can cause prey to die from infection even if just bitten.
This lizard is usually foraging for food, but can also run fast and hunt stealthily and powerfully, smashing its prey to the ground and tearing it apart with its claws and teeth.
The young eat grasshoppers, beetles, small geckos, eggs, birds and finally small mammals. The Komodo dragon can swallow large pieces of food by expanding its flexible throat and skull. They eat most of their prey, leaving very little waste behind.
Adult Komodo dragons are at the top of the food chain and have no predators. Juveniles often become prey for adults, larger mammals and birds. They avoid predation by living in trees until they become larger.
Komodo dragons have very small numbers in the wild and are listed in CITES Appendix I – International trade for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. The species is threatened with extinction due to the decline of its prey, shrinking habitat and increased illegal hunting.
Earth Dragon: A dragon with an eye-catching appearance
The earth dragon (scientific name Physignathus cocincinus) is a lizard with a wide distribution from South China to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.
In Vietnam, earth dragons live wild in nature, distributed in many provinces from Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Bac Can, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc (Tam Dao); Former Ha Tay (Ba Vi), Ninh Binh (Cuc Phuong), Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue.
Earth dragons live along rocky streams under the canopy of mixed evergreen forests with seasonal deciduous trees and bamboo forests from 43 to 820m above sea level. They live in amphibians and in trees along freshwater streams. Earth dragons live and feed during the day with a sedentary behavior, narrow movements, an average of 4.7- 6.1 m/day. At night, earth dragons often rest on tree branches above the water.
During the active season, earth dragons are recorded to be most active between 10 and 13 hours in Vietnam. When affected, the earth dragon shows escape behavior by jumping into the water or running very fast, running on two legs into the bushes.
The Earth Dragon has a quite eye-catching appearance.
This species has the ability to swim very well. Earth dragons are omnivores, with a diet consisting mainly of invertebrates, but also fish and small mammals, birds, reptiles, or some small plant parts. In breeding environments, earth dragons eat mice, beef hearts, fish, dog and cat food and sweet fruits.
Earth dragons have body colors ranging from green to gray-brown, used for camouflage in natural habitats. The scales of the lower jaw and cheek area are white, blue, or red to orange. Males sometimes have yellow, orange to white underarms, jaws and chest areas.
The body and tail are flat horizontally, the earth dragon has strong limbs, suitable for climbing habits. Snout shape may vary depending on distribution area. Adult individuals have a continuous crest from the neck to the spine and are separate from the anterior crest. The crest develops with age and is more prominent in males. The tail has dark stripes along the tail.
In juveniles, the whole body has a number of bright horizontal stripes along the flanks, which fade with age. From behind the eye to the ear there is a dark vertical strip.
In adult individuals, there is a clear gender distinction. Males have large oily parts and puffy cheeks. The appearance of females is clearly smaller than that of males.
The body length of the earth dragon reaches a maximum of 0.9m. The body and tail are flat horizontally, the earth dragon has strong limbs, suitable for climbing habits. Earth dragons, especially males, have the characteristic of protecting their territory and are quite aggressive in breeding environments. The maximum lifespan of an earth dragon is only 15 years.
Earth dragons have been included in CITES Appendix II – Restrictions on international trade for commercial purposes. The number of earth dragons in the wild in Vietnam is still small and needs to be preserved and protected effectively.
