Thursday, September 13, 2007

Komodo eating Turtle

It is well known that Komodo dragon is a carnivore and scavenger. Komodos main prey item is Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), however, this giant lizard is able to feed on various things such as buffalo, lizards, snakes, avians, small mammals (rats), and fishes (Auffenberg, 1981). Auffenberg (1981) also noted that Hawksbil sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and its eggs is one of Komodos prey among reptiles as their food.
A recent documentary (Aug 17th, 2007) showed three adult Komodo dragons are eating on a young Hawksbill sea turtle. This video is taken in Loh Liang, Komodo island, the biggest island within Komodo National Park.



Video showing adults Komodo dragon eating sea turtle
(sorry due to technical problem, the video can not be shown)

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