If you’re looking for a new pet, don’t even think about a Komodo dragon. These reptiles are the world’s largest lizards and can grow to be 10 feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds. (Roughly the weight of two or three eighth-graders.)
Komodo dragons run fast and eat almost any kind of meat, including dead animals, other Komodo dragons, and people who get too close.
“These things are incredible killing machines,” says Bryan Fry, a biologist, and expert on animal venom.
If you are not still convinced of how dangerous this animal is, consider the bite of a Komodo dragon.
Yes, the venomous bite might give you enough reasons…
Scientists have only recently begun to understand why a Komodo dragon is so lethal. Some people used to believe that a Komodo dragon’s bite contained bacteria from the mouth that would cause a severe infection in the victim’s blood.
But in an eye-opening video from Animal Planet, two chops are shown – one normal and one injected by the venom from the terrifying reptile.
While both pieces of meat look the same at the beginning of the clip, the one left begins to swell uncontrollably while showing a massive loss of blood.
According to National Geographic, the dragon’s venom ‘rapidly decreases blood pressure, expedites blood loss, and sends a victim into shock, rendering it too weak to fight’.
So in case, you were thinking of petting one of these humongous lizards – think again.
These beasts only live on several islands of Indonesia, including Rintja, Padar, Flores, and Komodo island, which gives the reptiles their name. These dragons often prey upon deer, water buffalo, and pigs, but they are still a danger to humans.
According to The Guardian, one of the animals killed an eight-year-old boy in 2007. Attacks aren’t usually fatal, but attacks on locals who live in the reptile’s range have left victims with injuries.
Heru Rudiharto, a national parks spokesman on Komodo island, said, “It is very common here to see dragons roaming in the residential area in the national park. But it is very rare that a Komodo dragon kills a human. Usually, people here only suffer minor injuries.”
In the video experiment below, it left viewers horrified, as one user wrote: “Good luck getting a Komodo to bite a steak and getting it back from it.”
Another said: “Their saliva is essential like pouring dumpster liquid into your open wounds.”
While a third commented: “This is the itchiest thing I have ever seen. The video played before I had a chance to skip passed, and now I CANNOT UNSEE THAT.”
Komodo dragons are undoubtedly one of the world’s most dangerous reptiles.
Watch the video below:
Effects of a Komodo Dragon bite
Credit: u/Akaki111 pic.twitter.com/mGaIsTBYYy
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) January 20, 2023
Sources: WesternJournal, The Guardian, National Geographic