Facts about Komodo Dragon Saliva Toxicity
- 06
A Komodo dragon's bite delivers venom through a series of grooved teeth that channel the anticoagulant secretions directly into the wound.
- 05
Komodo dragons' venom lowers blood pressure in prey by dilating blood vessels, contributing to rapid onset of shock after a bite.
- 04
Prior to the 2009 venom discovery, scientists attributed Komodo dragon kills to over 50 species of pathogenic bacteria thought to thrive in their saliva.
- 03
Bryan Fry's team discovered that Komodo dragons have a dual-jaw venom system, with venom glands located in the lower jaw rather than the upper jaw as in most venomous reptiles.
- 02
The venom produced by Komodo dragon glands contains compounds that induce shock and prevent blood clotting in bitten prey, accelerating blood loss.
- 01
Research published in 2009 revealed that Komodo dragons possess venom glands that secrete anticoagulant compounds, disproving the earlier belief that bacteria in their saliva caused prey death.