Komodo Kingdom at Akron Zoo in Akron, Ohio

Komodo Kingdom at Akron Zoo in Akron, Ohio

Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world. They can reach up to 10 feet in length and can weigh 150-300 pounds. Despite their size, komodos are fast moving, good climbers and swimmers. They can run about 11 miles per hour, which is about as fast as a human.
Sometimes the prey is killed by the dragon, but usually it escapes with just a bite. An animal that has been bitten by a komodo will not survive long. It could take hours or as long as a week or two for the animal to die. The saliva of komodos contains about 50 species of bacteria, at least seven of which cause severe blood poisoning. The smell of the decomposing body will attract any komodos within a 7 mile radius.

The life span of a komodo in the wild is estimated at 50 years. In captivity, they have lived to be more than 25 years old.

References:
Our Animals. Akron Zoo.