The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo Monitor, is a species of lizard that inhabits the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami, in central Indonesia.

A member of the Varanidae, and the clade Toxicofera, the Komodo is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2–3 meters (approximately 6.5–10 ft). This great length is attributed to island gigantism, as there are no carnivorous mammals to fill the niche in the islands that they live on, and the Komodo dragon''s low metabolic rate. As a result of their great size, these lizards are apex predators, dominating the ecosystems in which they live.

Their large size and fearsome reputation makes them popular zoo exhibits. In the wild their range has contracted due to human activities and they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

This species presents parthenogenesis (reproduction without the contribution of a male), a phenomenon also known to occur in some other reptile species, such as Whiptail Lizards.

El Dragón de Komodo (Varanus komodoensis), también llamado monitor -por la creencia egipcia que alertarían a los humanos ante la presencia de cocodrilos- es un lagarto que habita las islas de Indonesia. Es el mayor lagarto viviente, midiendo entre 2-3 metros. Es un depredador tope que olfatea a su presa mediante el muestreo de semioquímicos desde la lengua al órgano vomeronasal (órgano de jacobson). Su mordida, además de presentar veneno, contiene más de 50 bacterias diferentes, provocando la muerte de la presa por septicemia.

Esta especie puede reproducirse por partenogénesis (hembra virgen produce huevos sin la contribución del macho).

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