Komodo dragons are the world's largest lizards, managed in both wild protected areas and captive settings, with welfare considerations spanning their unique physiology, predatory needs, and territorial requirements.
Komodo dragon welfare in captivity requires understanding their solitary territorial nature and ectothermic physiology. Inappropriate grouping of non-breeding adult Komodos causes aggressive interactions that result in serious injury. Thermal regulation needs mean that enclosures must provide the full range from basking temperatures above 40 Celsius to cool retreat areas. Wild Komodo welfare is generally good in protected national park environments with abundant prey, but increasing ecotourism pressure and sea level rise threatening island habitats create future welfare concerns. Conservation of the island ecosystems they inhabit protects both individual welfare and species viability.