Varanus komodoensis

The Komodo Dragon is the largest lizard in the world and is found exclusively on Komodo, Indonesia and a few neighbouring islands. These giant lizards have skin full of tiny, bony needles and a highly toxic bite. They have been known to attack and kill animals as large as deer.

Taronga Zoo's Serpentaria exhibit has one large male Komodo Dragon called Tuka. He was named after a small village on the island of Flores in Indonesia where he was wild caught. Tuka first arrived at Taronga Zoo in 1992 after spending ten years at a zoo in Indonesia.