1. Mating and Gestation:
- Komodo dragons are sexually mature at around 8-10 years of age. Mating occurs between May and August during the dry season.
- During courtship, the male and female dragons engage in various behaviors, including head-bobbing, neck stretching, and licking each other's faces.
- After successful mating, the female dragon retains the sperm in specialized sacs called crypts within her oviducts. Fertilization occurs internally.
- The gestation period for Komodo dragons is approximately 8-9 months.
2. Nest Building:
- Gravid females seek suitable nesting sites during the wet season (November to March).
- They dig nests in the form of burrows, typically on steep hillsides or in dense vegetation.
- The burrows can be several meters long and deep, with multiple chambers.
3. Laying Eggs:
- When ready to lay eggs, the female dragon enters the nesting burrow and prepares a nesting chamber.
- She lays a clutch of 15-30 leathery eggs, each measuring about 10-12 centimeters in length.
- The eggs are covered with a white or cream-colored shell.
4. Incubation:
- After laying the eggs, the female dragon leaves the nest site.
- The eggs are left to incubate naturally in the warm and humid environment of the burrow.
- Incubation lasts for approximately 8-9 months, similar to the gestation period.
5. Egg Care and Defense:
- Unlike most other reptiles, Komodo dragons exhibit unique parental care.
- The female dragon remains in the vicinity of the nest and becomes highly protective of the eggs.
- She guards the nest from predators, including other Komodo dragons, by displaying aggressive behavior and even attacking if necessary.
- In some cases, male Komodo dragons have also been observed guarding the nests, although their involvement is less common.
6. Hatching:
- After the incubation period, the eggs hatch, and the young Komodo dragons emerge from the nest.
- Hatchlings are vulnerable to predation, and they often climb trees to escape from ground-dwelling predators.
- The young dragons will remain in the vicinity of the nest for several months, relying on their camouflage and agility to evade predators.
Komodo dragons demonstrate fascinating reproductive behavior, with females exhibiting remarkable protective care towards their nests and eggs, setting them apart from many other reptile species.