20 Interesting Facts About Komodo Dragons

1. The Komodo dragon is the largest species of lizard on earth. It can reach a length of 3 m (10 ft.) and weigh up to 70 kg (150 lbs.).
2. Komodo dragons are dangerous to humans. Several incidents of these lizards attacking and killing humans in their native range and captivity have been recorded. (Source)
3. According to a study, the blood of the Komodo dragon contains a compound that has antibacterial properties. This protein heals infected wounds in mice and is helpful as an antibiotic against multidrug-resistant pathogens. (Source)
4. Like few other reptiles, female Komodo dragons can reproduce asexually. Females live alone in many zoos where they can give virgin births. But unlike most other asexual births, these Komodo dragons give birth to male babies. (Source)
5. According to a study, a female Komodo dragon lays 60% of its eggs in nests of orange-footed scrubfowl, a chicken-like bird locally known as a gosong bird.
6. Komodo dragons eat a wide variety of food. Their diet includes insects, birds, small and large mammals (water buffalo, deer, wild boar, monkeys, etc.), carrion, and other reptiles (including other Komodo dragons).
7. Komodo dragons have extremely strong skin that resembles chain mail (an ancient military armor). But it is not suitable for making leather which protects the animal from commercial exploitation. (Source) 

   

   Komodo dragons are fast runners and have a strong skin

   
   
8. Komodo dragons are fast runners that can achieve a speed of up to 20 mph for short distances. These reptiles are also good swimmers. Young Komodo dragons can also climb trees.
9. The Komodo dragon is present solely in Komodo Island and its nearby islands in Indonesia. 
   
10. Komodo National Park, inhabited by Komodo dragons, is composed of three main and several small islands. After its establishment in 1980, the national park became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. (Source)
11. According to fossil records, Komodo dragons are native to Australia. They lived in Australia from 4 million to 300,000 years ago. They moved westward and are now present in Indonesia for more than 1 million years. (Source)
12. The latest research proves that the saliva of the Komodo dragon contains venom. Previously, there was a misconception that the toxic bacteria in its mouth make the bite lethal. (Source)
13. Another study shows that the mouths of Komodo dragons are ordinary without the presence of any lethal bacteria. Komodo dragons keep their mouth clean by lip-licking and rubbing with leaves after feeding. (Source)
14. The Komodo dragon has a long tail that is equal in length to its body size. This tail is very strong and assists the reptile during prey.
15. They can eat up to 80% of their body weight in a single meal. They have a slow metabolism and can survive with just a single large meal in a month and 12 meals in a year.
16. Like snakes, the Komodo dragon has a long forked tongue. It helps the animal to smell and taste. They have a low hearing range between 400 and 2,000 hertz. Komodo dragons can see objects up to 300 m away. But this animal has poor night vision.
17. Komodo dragons are known for digging graves and eating dead humans. It usually happens to shallow graves and newly buried bodies. 
18. In 1990, US President George H.W. Bush received a komodo dragon as a gift from the Indonesian government. (Source)
19. The famous 1933 movie "King Kong" got inspiration from Komodo dragons. Even the name “King King” has some relation to the word “K” in Komodo. (Source)
20. Adult Komodo dragons sometimes eat young dragons. These young Komodo dragons mostly live in trees or sometimes roll in poop to save them from older komodo.