Mary Allen
The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world. He feeds on deer and water buffalo, among other things – and doesn’t want to be disturbed during his nap.
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. Young feed primarily on small lizards and insects, as well as snakes and birds.
General information about the Komodo dragon
The Komodo dragon, scientifically Varanus komodoensis, is the largest lizard in the world. The animals only live on the five east Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Dasami, Gili Motang and Flores.
Size and weight of the giant lizard
Adult animals from the island of Komodo are up to three meters long and often weigh around 80 kilograms. Due to their weight, adult Komodo dragons are far too heavy to climb trees. Instead, they lounge on the ground in the semi-shade for hours. And woe betide if someone disturbs her afternoon nap!
Their conspecifics on the other four islands are significantly smaller because fewer deer and wild boar live there and the lizards rarely make “fat prey”.
What Komodo dragons eat?
While young animals are constantly hungry and prey on insects, snakes and small rodents, the old ones rarely eat. But when they do, they really smack their monitor lizards full! An adult Komodo dragon can eat a 30-kilogram boar in just 17 minutes. After that, the lizards are almost twice as heavy – and pretty full for the next two weeks.
If the prey is large enough, adult Komodo dragons will even share it – but only if everyone adheres to the order of prey: the oldest animals eat first. Anyone who resists will be hit with the scaly tail or feel the opponent’s approximately 60 razor-sharp teeth.
In the first few years, the young Komodo dragons only watch the feast from the treetops. Because they know: Every now and then the old people grab one of them also as a juicy side dish. From the age of five, the monitor lizards prey on maned deer, water buffalo, monkeys, and wild boar. However, Komodo dragons also pounce on carrion at any time.
What is the biggest thing a Komodo dragon can eat?
They are such fierce hunters they can eat very large prey, such as large water buffalo, deer, carrion, pigs and even humans. They will also eat smaller dragons. They can eat 80 percent of their body weight in one feeding, according to the National Geographic (opens in new tab).
Do Komodo dragons eat animals alive?
Komodo dragons often eat their prey alive rather than killing it first. That said, the animal most often dies long before the dragon has finished eating it.
Do Komodo dragons eat fruit?
F In addition to eating animals, Komodo dragons will eat leaves, twigs, and fruits.
Do Komodo dragons have predators?
Due to the fact that the Komodo Dragon is the most dominant predator in its environment, mature adults have no natural predators in their native habitats.