Anatomy & Physiology:

The Komodo Dragon grows to be 9-10 feet long with a weight of 300lbs! These lizards have four legs and their feet have extremally sharp claws. It's tail is actually longer than it body and they have very large teeth for their prey. These dragons actually share the same dental and feeding characteristics as extinct dinosaurs such as sharks and saber-toothed cats! Because of their ability to feed on pretty much anything that crosses their path (including deer) we assume that they have the power of an alligator. The physiology of this dragon species makes that untrue. These animals have a space-frame skull that is made of light, ridged structure, with interlocking struts that can handle large animals. The teeth are actually the key to this strength, they are aligned in a pattern of strengthens to make this easy, not to mention they have 60 teeth that are serrated. They also have venom glands that are loaded with toxins that cause large amounts of bleeding and will induce shock. They have a forked-tongue and actually use it to smell out their prey. (National Geographic)

Reproduction:

Komodo Dragons are able to reproduce asexually, which is quite rare for a species to be able to do. However, because of their habitat, parthenogenesis is key to this reptiles survival. (Twinkle.com- Eggs) Due to their habitat, its quite common for the Komodo dragons to be carried from island to island, very possibly being the only Komodo Dragon on that island, being able to reproduce this way enables them to carry on. When this happens, only male offspring occurs leaving limited number of females available to start the reproduction processes. When the male is mature enough, he will mate with his mother. Another negative effect of parthenogenic reproduction is the offspring becomes immunodeficient due to a limited gene-pool. (pbs.org-p.4-5)

Like most reptiles, Komodo Dragons are amniotes, with a birth rate of ~30 eggs that take 7-8 months to hatch. Once hatched the offspring work their way out of the shells, once they are broken and free the offspring are guarded by their mother for the next several months and are hidden in trees to remail safe. (Twinkl.com -Eggs)

When the female is ready to start the mating process, she will give off a scent in her feces that the males will follow. When the male is ready to mate he will scratch her back and lick her body. If the female licks him back, then they begin mating. There will be times where males will wrestle each other for dominance or "rights" to the female. (Twinkl.com-Mature)

References:

Public Broadcasting Service. (2014, October 17). The dragon chronicles ~ the komodo dragon's remarkable physiology. PBS. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-dragon-chronicles-the-komodo-dragons-remarkable-physiology/4523/#:~:text=The%20Komodo's%20physiology%20is%20distinguished,of%20different%20strengths%20are%20arranged.

Komodo dragon, facts and photos. Animals. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/komodo-dragon

Twinkl.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/komodo-dragon#:~:text=Young%20Giant%20Komodo%20Dragons%20are,months%20old%20to%20avoid%20predators.