Student Article
Komodo Dragons: Nature’s Giant Venomous Predators
Serrated (adjective): Having a jagged edge, like a saw.
Carnivorous (adjective): Meat-eating.
Parthenogenesis (noun): A form of reproduction without fertilization.
The Komodo dragon, native to Indonesia, is the world's largest living lizard.
How big can they get?
Komodo dragons reach lengths of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and weights of around 150 pounds (70 kilograms).
Are they dangerous?
These formidable reptiles have 60 sharp, serrated teeth and a powerful tail. Despite a bite force weaker than a crocodile's, their venomous bite causes severe bleeding and lowers blood pressure in prey, leading to shock.
What do they eat?
Komodo dragons are carnivorous, feeding on animals ranging from insects and birds to large mammals like deer and water buffalo.
Do they eat each other?
Komodo dragons are known to be cannibalistic; adults may eat younger dragons, prompting juveniles to climb trees for safety.
How do they reproduce?
Females can reproduce through mating or parthenogenesis, a process where eggs develop without fertilization, the latter producing only male offspring.
Are they in danger?
Listed as Endangered by the IUCN, Komodo dragons face threats from habitat loss due to climate change and human activities. Rising sea levels could reduce their habitat by 30% in the next 45 years, with only about 1,400 adults remaining in the wild.
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Serrated (adjective): Having a jagged edge, like a saw.
Carnivorous (adjective): Meat-eating.
Parthenogenesis (noun): A form of reproduction without fertilization.