Komodo dragon

A real living dragon

The Komodo dragon is the biggest lizard in the world — 3 metres long! It doesn't breathe fire, but its bite is venomous. It lives on just a few small islands in Indonesia. A Komodo dragon 'smells' food 10 km away with its tongue — flicking it out like a snake.

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard (3 m, 90 kg), living on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca and Flores. In 2009 venom glands were discovered in its lower jaw: the venom stops blood clotting and lowers blood pressure. It hunts deer, pigs and even water buffalo, eating up to 80% of its body weight in one meal. With its forked tongue it collects scent particles from the air and finds prey 10 km away. Females can lay eggs without a male (parthenogenesis). About 3,000 remain; rising sea levels are shrinking their habitat.

Fun facts

• A Komodo dragon can eat 80% of its body weight in one sitting.
• A female Komodo can have babies without a male.
• Baby Komodos live in trees — so the adults don't eat them!