Komodo dragons communicate through body language and scent marking.
- Dominance Displays: Komodo dragons use body language to establish dominance and social hierarchies. Dominant dragons may raise their heads and bodies, puff out their throats, and spread their jaws. Submissive dragons will lower their heads and bodies, and flatten their necks.
- Threat Displays: When threatened, Komodo dragons may display aggressive body language such as hissing, gaping their mouths, and lashing their tails.
- Courtship Displays: During courtship, male and female Komodo dragons engage in elaborate courtship rituals involving chasing, biting, and licking.
2. Scent Marking
Komodo dragons also use scent marking to communicate. They have scent glands located on their heads, legs, and tails, which they use to deposit scents on objects in their environment. These scents are used to mark territory, attract mates, and warn other Komodo dragons of potential threats.