What if I told you there's a lizard as long as a couch with sharp teeth, powerful claws, and a sense of smell so good, it can find food from miles away. It's called the Komodo Dragon. And it might be the closest thing we have to a real dragon today. I'm your host, Garrett Maroon, and before I introduce my three favorite dragon hunters, let me say a huge happy birthday to Zion, who's turning seven in Perth, Australia. And Jackson in Graceville, Florida, for recommending the Komodo Dragon. If you want to say hi to the Nature Loving Kids, get a birthday shout-out, or suggest an animal or nature topic, email us at nature lovingkidspodcast at gmail.com. And now introducing my three favorite dragon hunters. Hi, I'm Hattie, and I already think this is going to be awesome. And a big shout out to my friend Lee, who had a birthday this week. And I'm Ivy, and I'm the funny one, and I'm Dylan. And if it flies, I'm leaving. Good news, Dylan, it doesn't fly. But it is the largest lizard in the world. Komodo dragons live on a few islands in Indonesia. They're the biggest lizards on Earth. Some can grow over 10 feet long and weigh more than 150 pounds. That's bigger than some grown-ups. It really is. If one stretches out across your living room floor, it might take up most of the room. That's not a lizard. That's a dinosaur. It definitely looks like one. Now, here's something incredible. Komodo dragons can smell food from miles away. How? Their noses don't look special. They actually use their tongue. Just like snakes, they flick their tongue in and out to collect tiny scent particles from the air. Then they use a special organ in their mouth to figure out where the smell came from. What so they smell with their tongue? Exactly. Scientists believe that they can detect food from several miles away. That's like having a superhero o'. Komodo dragons look slow, but don't let that fool you. They can run up to about 12 miles per hour. Really? Yep. Fast enough that you wouldn't want one chasing you. They can also swim between islands and climb trees when they're young. Wait, they swim too? They do. For such a big animal, they're surprisingly athletic. Alright, dragon joke time. What do you have for us, Ivy? What does the dragon say to the other dragon? What? Dragro! Why did the Komodo dragon sit on a clock? Why? He wanted to be on time. Hey everyone, Hattie here. If you like this podcast and want bedtime stories for kids, check out my dad's podcast called Lantern Hollow. Komodo dragons are predators. They hunt animals like deer, wild pigs, and goats. They have sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Making them the top predator where they live. On their islands, they sit near the top of the food chain and they help keep animal populations balanced. So even predators have an important job. Exactly. When Komodo dragons hatch, life is dangerous. Adult dragons sometimes eat smaller dragons. Wait, seriously? Yep. That's why baby Komodo dragons spend much of their time in trees. They stay up high where the bigger dragons can't easily reach them. Treehouse dragons. Exactly. When people see a Komodo dragon, they often think it looks fierce or even scary. But it reminds us of something important. God created a world full of incredible variety. Some animals are gentle, some are powerful, and some are strange. And all of them show creativity and purpose in creation. Even giant lizards that look like dragons? Even giant lizards that look like dragons. The Bible tells us that creation reflects God's wisdom and power. And animals like Komodo dragons remind us just how amazing that design can be. Alright, time for one more joke break. What do you have for us, Dylan? What is the hungry dragon's favorite day of the week? What? Why did the dragon still get dirty? Why? Because it was dragon on the ground. Think about this. A giant lizard that can smell food from miles away, swim between islands, climb trees, and rule an entire island ecosystem. That's incredible. It really is. Nature is full of creatures that seem almost impossible until you learn they're real. Komodo dragons may be the closest thing we have to a real dragon alive today. From their giant size to their amazing sense of smell. They're one of the most fascinating reptiles in the world. Thanks for joining us on the Nature Loving Kids Podcast. If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And remember, click the follow button. New episodes every one. And please leave a review. Be read every one. And if you see a dragon, make sure it's a small one. But this to go. Until next time, stay curious, get outside, and remember The world is full of wild wonders.