O Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), despite the name, does not release fire from the mouth! However, this large lizard is extremely dangerous. Let's get to know more about him?
You Komodo Dragons are found in a few places on the planet. They live on three islands in the Pacific, Rinca, Flores and Komodo, where their name originated. It is an extremely fast, aggressive and intelligent animal. Some research compares its intelligence with that of mammals!
This animal is the largest lizard in the world, reaching up to 3 and a half meters in length as an adult, and its weight can exceed 100 kilos. As a puppy, after leaving the egg, it is approximately 25 centimeters.
When young, Komodo dragons live in trees and feed only on insects. As an adult, this animal lives on land and feeds on other animals, usually mammals. Even several cases of attacks on humans have been reported.
To attack its prey, the dragon hides until the time is right to take its powerful bite. When prey appears, it quickly attacks it, using the strength of its paws and tail, which are capable of toppling even trees.
Adult dragons attack and inoculate their victims with venom
For a long time, it was believed that the Komodo dragon's bite caused its prey to die because of the large amount of bacteria in its mouth. Researchers have spent years firmly believing that pathogenic bacteria cause infections. However, it is now known that dragons have something much more dangerous in their mouths: poison.
When the animal bites the victim, it causes them a deep wound through which the poison is introduced. Dragons produce a substance similar to other reptiles such as snakes. This poison decreases blood pressure and blood clotting, as a result, the animal ends up dying as a result of hemorrhage. We can say, then, that the Komodo dragon is a poisonous animal.
After the bite, the dragon leaves the victim in place and returns some time later after his death. They are able to follow their tracks and return to the place where the attack occurred, thanks to their keen sense of smell. Upon arriving and finding his food already dead, he quickly devours it.
The Komodo dragon is considered vulnerable, being on the red list of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
by Vanessa dos Santos
Graduated in Biology
