Are Komodo dragons considered dinosaurs

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), the largest living lizards, are often mistaken for dinosaurs due to their impressive size and fearsome appearance. However, Komodo dragons are not dinosaurs in the traditional sense.

Dinosaurs were a diverse group of reptiles that existed from the Triassic to Cretaceous periods, characterized by their upright posture, bipedalism, three-toed feet, and distinct hip structure. Komodo dragons, on the other hand, are members of the Squamata order, which also includes snakes and lizards, and exhibit a more sprawling posture, quadrupedalism, five-toed feet, and different hip anatomy.

Furthermore, Komodo dragons are closely related to other monitor lizards, such as the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) and the Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator), and share a common ancestry with them. These lizards evolved from a common ancestor during the early Eocene epoch, approximately 56 million years ago, long after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

While Komodo dragons may resemble some ancient reptiles, they are not direct descendants of dinosaurs and are classified as modern-day lizards in the order Squamata.

Related Questions:

Are Komodo dragons endangered? - Yes, they are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
How long can Komodo dragons live? - They can live up to 30 years in captivity.
What is the average weight of a Komodo dragon? - They can weigh up to 150 pounds.
Where are Komodo dragons found? - They are only found on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and Flores.
Are Komodo dragons poisonous? - Yes, they have venom in their saliva that can cause paralysis and death.

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Are Komodo Dragons Considered Dinosaurs?