interesting facts about komodo dragons

November 9, 2009 | In: Animal facts for kids

Komodo dragons were first recorded by Western scientists in 1910.

Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world.

Komodo dragons are known to live on three islands in Indonesia – the Komodo National Park.

Adult males often exceed 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length and weigh around 90 kilograms (200 pounds).

When hunting, Komodo dragons rely on camouflage and patience.

Dragon saliva teems with over 50 strains of bacteria, and within 24 hours, the stricken creature usually dies of blood poisoning.

When they are young, they are dark colored with some yellow, white, green, and black. When they get older they are dull black, gray, or green.

They communicate through body language.

They are excellent swimmers and can cross great distances and strong ocean currents.

Vision and hearing are useful, but the Komodo’s sense of smell is its primary food detector.

The komodo dragon’s teeth are like a shark‘s, with rows of teeth that constantly replace lost or broken ones!

A komodo dragon will get up to 200 new teeth every year, each serrated and razor sharp, capable of cutting through bone. The komodo dragon’s jaws, however, are more like a snake’s, with a hinged jawbone that disconnects to allow an extra-large opening for swallowing prey.

These are just two of the features that make komodo dragons the fearsome predators that they are.