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Komodo Dragon

Komodo Dragon Lizard line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Komodo Dragon Lizard illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Komodo Dragon was completed on 6.25.2010. Several years back, I had drawn one of these impressive reptiles based upon an excellent photo by my friend Linda Bernin. But the position of the tail always bothered me. I did a little research and decided a pose where the neck, head and forelimbs were the dominant feature would make a better image. The drawing is based on a photo by Sarah Louise.

Information about the Komodo Dragon:

The Komodo Dragon is a large species of reptile belonging to the monitor family. They are the largest lizard on earth, growing to a length of 6.5 - 9.8 feet (2-3 meters) although not the largest reptile (that is the Saltwater Crocodile) They live only on some isolated islands in Indonesia. It's thought that their large size is due to their isolation on these islands, as their is no other carnivore living in their environment. These reptiles feed mostly on carrion, but will also ambush and attack birds, mammals and invertebrates. Occasionally, they will attack humans and are considered to be dangerous. Their saliva is filled with septic pathogens, which means when they bite and wound an animal, the bacteria will cause the wound to become infected and eventually lead to the animals death. Which may some days, and during that time the dragon will simply stay by the animal until it expires. The conservation status of these reptiles is considered 'vulnerable.'