The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) has sharp teeth to tear apart its prey, which it ingests whole, including its own poison. But does the Komodo dragon really kill using poison? Most people believe that the potent toxic bacteria in his mouth are the reason his victims die, however this theory has been completely debunked.
The scientific community then paid special attention to this species, native to Indonesia. Komodo dragon venom acts directly by lowering blood pressure and promoting blood loss, until the victim goes into shock and is unable to defend himself or flee. This technique is not exclusive to the Komodo dragon, other species of lizards and iguanas also share this method of incapacitation. However, there are doubts that Komodo dragons use only their poison to kill.
Is the Komodo dragon dangerous to humans? What happens if a Komodo dragon bites you?Find out all in this article on our site!
Komodo Dragon Information
The Komodo dragon belongs to the varanid family and is considered the largest species of lizard on planet earth, being able to reach three meters in length and up to 90 kilograms in weight. His sense of smell is especially acute, while his vision and hearing are somewhat more limited. They are found at the top of the food chain and are the predators par excellence of their ecosystem.
The Story of the Komodo Dragon
It is estimated that the evolutionary history of the Komodo dragon begins in Asia, specifically in a missing link of giant varanids that inhabited the earth more than 40 million years ago. The oldest fossils found in Australia date back 3.8 million years and stand out for being individuals of the same size and species as the current one.
Where does the Komodo dragon live?
The Komodo dragon can be found on five volcanic islands in Southeast Indonesia: Flores, Gili Motang, Komodo, Padar and Rinca. It is perfectly adapted to an inhospitable, resistant territory, full of grasslands and wooded areas. It is more active during the day, although it also takes advantage of the night to hunt, being able to race up to 20 km/h or dive down to 4.5 meters deep.
These are carnivorous animals and feed mainly on large prey such as deer, water buffalo or goats They stand out for being very ste althy hunters, which catch their prey unawares. Once broken, they eat them completely, which means that they do not have to feed for days, in fact, they only eat food about 15 times a year.
Komodo Dragon Breeding
The reproduction of these giant lizards is not at all easy. Their fertility starts late, around nine or ten years old, when they are ready to procreate. The males fight hard to fertilize the females, who are reluctant to be courted. For that reason, males often have to immobilize them. The incubation time for the eggs is between 7 and 8 months and, once hatched, the young begin to survive on their own.
Is the Komodo dragon poisonous?
Komodo dragons, like other lizards, secrete poisonous proteins through their mouths. This characteristic makes its saliva potentially poisonous, but it is important to note that it is different from that of other animals, such as cobras, which can kill in a matter of hours.
The saliva of these monitor lizards combines with bacteria, which are responsible for weakening their prey, also promoting blood loss. A surprising detail is that wild Komodo dragons have up to 53 different strains of bacteria, far below what one might have in captivity.
In 2005, researchers at the University of Melbourne observed localized swelling, redness, bruising, and tenderness after the bite of a Komodo dragon, but also low blood pressure, muscle paralysis or hypothermia. There are reasonable doubts that this substance has other biological functions beyond weakening the prey, but it is undoubtedly a poisonous animal
Does the Komodo dragon attack humans?
Komodo dragon attacks can occur, but are not particularly frequent. The danger of this animal lies in its great size and strength, not in its poison. These monitor lizards can detect their prey up to 4 kilometers away, quickly approaching to bite them and waiting for the poison to act and make their job easier, thus avoiding a possible physical confrontation.
What happens if you get bitten by a Komodo dragon?
The bite of a Komodo dragon in captivity is not particularly dangerous, but in any case, whether we are bitten by a captive or wild specimen, it is essential to go to a he alth center to receiveantibiotic-based treatment After being bitten by this animal, a human would experience blood loss or infection, until the individual was completely defenseless. At that moment the attack would occur, when the Komodo dragon would use its teeth and claws to tear and feed.
