Komodo dragon [Varanus komodensis] This is another shot taken at Chester Zoo. Due to the very thick glass of the Komodo enclosure it was difficult to get a shot without flash-flare, even though I was using an external flash. I have done a lot of postwork to try to remove the highlights and flare that this caused, although it is not ideal. The Komodo dragon is the world's largest lizard species. It is found mainly on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintja, Padar, and Flores. There are only an estimated 5,000 of these endangered lizards living today. Reaching lengths of up to 3 m or more, and weighing up to 126 kg, these reptiles are swift runners and climbers with great appetites for deer and wild boar. Komodo dragons are formidable predators, since even one bite can be lethal. The bacteria that live in the dragon's saliva are so virulent that wounds often will not heal. Even if the victim gets away, it usually dies from infection in a few days. The dragon's reputation as a human eater is well deserved as it does not seem to fear humans and many attacks and deaths have been reported. In order to protect the dragon, the Indonesian government has made the islands of Padar and Rintja into nature reserves for both the lizard and its prey (but not the human kind of prey! Lol!). Thanks for looking and any comments and critique are more than welcome and valued!