Komodo Dragon

Ranking The Kingdom

Another fortnight means it's time for another new review, it's time to chase the dragon on this episode of Ranking the Kingdom.

A terrifying lizard that is as much myth as it is a legend. Once believed to be enormous, 20 foot monstrosities by 1920's Dutchmen, the Komodo Dragon has managed to carve out a name for itself as one of the most frightening animals still roaming earth today. Find out what misconception led me to review the Komodo Dragon in the first place, how this monitor lizard is a bit like last week's armadillo, and discover the mystery of their evolutionary origins. Were they once giants? Or did they evolve and grow from salamanders and geckos to become the kings of Komodo? From terrifying encounters to super senses, the Komodo Dragon is ripe for review. Are you ready?

If you are new to the show and don't quite get how this whole "ranking animals" thing works, please head over to the show's website for a quick explanation of the rating system, or download Your Review and You, a quick 10 minute episode of the podcast that covers everything you need to know! Also rate and subscribe to Ranking the Kingdom on iTunes, and don't hesitate to follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@rankthekingdom) for updates and links to interesting animal facts on occasion!

The Ranking the Kingdom subreddit is a great place to reach out to me or the community as well, or you can even send me an email at [e-mail]. For those of you with podcast apps that do not display pictures, you can go here to view each episode's set: rankingthekingdom.libsyn.com.

Also, check out my new podcast called Robots Boning Ninjas! It's nowhere near as gross or off-putting as you might think, I promise!

Episode Guide:

(0:00 - 4:27) - Intro: Robots and Ninjas, Clean-Up Help, Not Much Else.

(4:37 - 9:57) - Unsorted Facts: Komodo, Indistinguishable Sexes, Apex.

(10:07 - 23:56) - Instinct/ Evolution: Armadillos, Parthenogenesis, Jacobson's Organ.

(24:06 - 35:02) - Offense/ Defense: Venom vs Bacteria, Tooth and Nail, Thick Skin.

(35:12 - 44:14) - Society/ Resourcefulness: Waste Not, Sexy-Times, Baby Dragons.

(44:24 - 53:51) - Legacy/ Future: Fable, King Kong, Sad Numbers.

53:51 - 1:09:31) - The Ranking: Where we finally decide the fate of this mother of (all) dragons.

Pictures:

(Where Komodo Dragons Dwell)

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/animals/Reptiles/H-P/komodo-dragon-map.GIF

(Komodo Dragon and Big 'Ole Sloppy Tongue)

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Lizards/Information-News/Komodo-Dragon-Attacks-Park-Employees-At-Komodo-National-Park/

(Probably Not a Hug)

http://reptilepark.com.au/animals/reptiles/monitors/komodo-dragon/

(Parthenogenesis for Dummies, aka Me)

http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/misc/project_websites_08/tues/Komodo%20Dragons/science.htm

(Knife-Tooth)

http://badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=106948521692

(Dragon's Scratchers)

http://www.perjuanganboat.com/the-komodo-dragon/

(Osteoderm-Laden Hide)

http://siragekamare.blogspot.com/2015/03/komodo-dragon.html

(Baby Komodo Dragon, Duh)

http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/komodo-dragon/

Sources:

Thank you to Silent Partner for the intro/ transition/ outro music, “Cloud Patterns”

And thank you to the following sources for all of the free information:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/k/komodo-dragon/ (Komodo Dragon Basics)

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/komodo-dragon (More Komodo Dragon Basics)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/gigantism-and-dwarfism-islands.html (The Island Rule)

http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/misc/project_websites_08/tues/Komodo%20Dragons/science.htm (Parthenogenesis in Komodo Dragons)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon (Komodo Dragon Miscellania)

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/06/27/the-myth-of-the-komodo-dragons-dirty-mouth/ (Komodo Dragon Venom)

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17156-venom-is-key-to-komodo-dragons-killing-power/ (Bite Strength)

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0030-1299.2006.14371.x/full (Relation Between Komodo Size and their Prey, the Island Rule again)

http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/downloads/komododragon00sciam.pdf (Komodo Dragon Research)

http://indonesianfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-legend-of-komodo-dragon.html (Komodo Dragon Folklore)

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22884/0 (IUCN Komodo Dragon)

http://www.timetravelturtle.com/2012/10/attack-komodo-dragon-indonesia/ (Komodo Dragon Bites Park Rangers)
Thank you as well to the following musicians for providing their tracks royalty free on Youtube:

Candlepower by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/divider/

Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

Transcend by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

I Don't See the Branches, I See the Leaves by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/dtv/

Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

Clean Soul - Calming by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300033

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Lake Eerie by Silent Partner

CGI Snake by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/divider/

Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

I Am Running with Temporary Success from a Monstrous Vacuum by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/honor/

Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/