They have a much smaller hearing range than humans and, as a result, cannot hear sounds like low-pitched voices or high-pitched screams. Their retinas possess only cones, so they may be able to distinguish color but have poor vision in dim light. Monitors can see objects as far away as 985 feet (300 meters), so vision does play a role in hunting, especially as their eyes are better at picking up movement than at discerning stationary objects. A kill is often shared between many Komodo dragons. After the animal dies, which can take up to four days, the Komodo uses its powerful sense of smell to locate the body. However, if it is able to bite its prey, bacteria and venom in its saliva will kill the prey within a few days. Most of the monitor's attempts at bringing down prey are unsuccessful. It can spend hours in one spot along a game trail - waiting for a deer or other sizable and nutritious prey to cross its path - before launching an attack. These reptiles are tertiary predators at the top of their food chain and are also cannibalistic.Īlthough the Komodo dragon can briefly reach speeds of 10 to 13 mph (16 to 20 kph), its hunting strategy is based on stealth and power. If they live to be 5 years old, they move onto larger prey, such as rodents, monkeys, goats, wild boars and deer (the most popular meal). Young feed primarily on small lizards and insects, as well as snakes and birds. Komodo dragons eat almost any kind of meat, scavenging for carcasses or stalking animals that range in size from small rodents to large water buffalo. Sexing Komodos remains a challenge for human researchers the dragons themselves appear to have little trouble figuring out who is who. One subtle clue does exist: a slight difference in the arrangement of scales just in front of the cloaca. When threatened, Komodos can throw up the contents of their stomachs to lessen their weight in order to flee.Īlthough males tend to grow larger and bulkier than females, no obvious morphological differences mark the sexes. The stomach expands easily, enabling an adult to consume up to 80 percent of its own body weight in a single meal, which most likely explains some exaggerated claims for immense weights in captured individuals.

Several movable joints, such as the intramandibular hinge opens the lower jaw unusually wide. The muscles of the Komodo's jaws and throat allow it to swallow huge chunks of meat with astonishing rapidity. Adults are an almost-uniform stone color with distinct, large scales, while juveniles may display a more vibrant color and pattern.

Komodo dragons are large lizards with long tails, strong and agile necks, and sturdy limbs.

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