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How do Komodo dragons get oxygen?
Komodo dragons breathe air into their lungs through their nostrils and mouth like most land animals.
How do reptiles exchange gases?
All reptiles breathe through their lungs. The reptile lung has a much greater surface area for the exchange of gases than the lungs of amphibians. Many reptiles’ lungs have little sacs called alveoli, across which gas is exchanged. When its mouth is full of air, the lizard will push the air down into the lungs.
How do reptiles ventilate their lungs?
Reptiles retain an elaborate buccal, hyoidean force pump, but ventilate the lungs primarily with a thoracic aspiratory pump, although they typically lack the diaphragm, characteristic of mammals.
What process do birds use for gas exchange?
Similar to mammals, birds have lungs, which are organs specialized for gas exchange. Oxygenated air, taken in during inhalation, diffuses across the surface of the lungs into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the lungs, and is then expelled during exhalation.
Can reptiles breathe while eating?
It is connected to the trachea, or windpipe, which lets the air that is inhaled fill its lungs. The glottis is extremely helpful, because when a snake is eating, it can move its glottis off to the side so that its prey does not prevent it from opening and allows the snake to still breath while it is eating.
How do snakes perform gas exchange?
Unlike what mammals have, the reptile glottis is always closed, forming a vertical slit, unless the snake takes a breath. A small piece of cartilage just inside the glottis vibrates when the snake forcefully expels air from its lungs.
How does a Komodo dragon drink its water?
Because the Komodo dragon does not have a diaphragm, it cannot suck water when drinking, nor can it lap water with its tongue. Instead, it drinks by taking a mouthful of water, lifting its head, and letting the water run down its throat.
Where can you find Komodo dragons in Indonesia?
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a lizard species that is found on the islands (particularly the Komodo Island) in central Indonesia. The komodo dragon is a member of the monitor lizard family and is the largest living species of lizard.
Why does a Komodo dragon swing its tail?
Komodo dragons will swing their tail back and forth as a scare tactic, but will also do this when they are scared themselves. These giant lizards are ruthless carnivores!
What kind of animals can a Komodo dragon knock down?
Komodo dragons have been observed knocking down large pigs and deer with their strong tails. They are able to locate carcasses using their keen sense of smell, which can locate a dead or dying animal from a range of up to 9.5 km (5.9 mi).