About
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) of Indonesia is the world's largest living lizard, reaching 3 meters and 70 kg. Once believed to kill prey through bacterial infection from its saliva, research in 2009 revealed that Komodo dragons actually have venom glands that produce anticoagulants — preventing blood clotting in their prey.
Komodo dragons are ambush predators that can sprint at 20 km/h. They use their forked tongues to detect prey up to 9 km away. Females can reproduce through parthenogenesis — producing offspring without fertilization — making Komodo dragons one of the few vertebrates capable of virgin birth.
# Top 10 Komodo Dragon facts
- 1Komodo dragons have venom that prevents blood clotting — prey bleed out slowly after being bitten
- 2Female Komodo dragons can reproduce via parthenogenesis — literally virgin birth
- 3They can consume 80% of their body weight in a single meal and go months without eating again
Fascinating Facts
- ◆Komodo dragons have venom that prevents blood clotting — prey bleed out slowly after being bitten
- ◆Female Komodo dragons can reproduce via parthenogenesis — literally virgin birth
- ◆They can consume 80% of their body weight in a single meal and go months without eating again
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