When you are a kid, you may be scared to see a lizard on the wall. Just seeing a small lizard may refrain you from going to the kitchen or washroom until someone accompanies you and scare away the lizard. If a small lizard has a terrifying effect on you, then, you have to consider what will be your reaction when you see the biggest lizard – Komodo dragon. Big lizards are dangerous and you will be surprise to know that Komodo dragon is the deadliest and scariest animal.
The Biggest Lizard – Komodo Dragon
1
Size
If you live in Asia, you are likely used to see small lizards on the ceiling, trying to catch an insect. However, small lizards are nothing in size compared to the Komodo dragon. The Komodo dragon is the biggest lizard. The average male adult lizard is around 2.5 meters in length and may weigh around 50 – 70 kilograms. The biggest lizard ever recorded was more than 3 meters and had weighed 166 kilograms. The reason behind the variation of weight is that Komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of their own body weight in just one single meal.
2
Behavior
When it comes to behavior, the Komodo dragon is a solitary animal except during their mating season. However, the biggest lizard form groups to hunt and to feed. Even though Komodo dragons are big, they are very agile and can climb trees. They have the ability to run with a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.
3
Living Habits
Komodo dragons can eat almost anything, including its own eggs. It will also attack any animal living in the area including deer, boar, snakes, buffalo, monkey and even wild horses. A small adult Komodo, which weighs around 40 kilograms can kill a much bigger Sunda deer by striking and knocking the deer off its feet, then, the Komodo will start tearing the deer with the use of its claws and serrated teeth.
4
Toxicity
Any animals that survive from the attack of the biggest lizard are likely to die from infections because of the toxicity in the saliva of the Komodo dragon. The saliva contains 50 strains of bacteria. Bacteria present in the Komodo dragon saliva is very deadly and can kill any animal within 3 hours. But recent studies show that aside from the bacteria in saliva, Komodo dragons also have venom glands in the jaw, making it more deadly. Komodo dragons have the ability to inject toxins in their prey. The venom loaded with toxins may stop the blood from clotting. The prey will then bleed to death and eaten dead or alive afterwards.
5
Location
Most Komodo dragons are found on the Indonesian islands of Rinca, Flores and Komodo. Few Komodo dragons live on Gili Dasami and Gili Motang. They prefer living in hot dry grasslands that are near the place of volcanic activity where there is little water but has a high temperature. In the Komodo National park, the numbers of Komodo dragons are well monitored.
To know more about Komodo dragon, you can watch the video below:
