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The Komodo dragon kills with venom, not just bacteria

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The world's largest lizard has venom glands that keep its prey's blood from clotting.

Verified · Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard alive, reaching about 3 metres (10 feet) and 150+ kg. For years its lethal bite was blamed on filthy, bacteria-laden saliva. The real weapon turned out to be venom.

Researchers documented venom glands in the dragon’s lower jaw. When it bites, the venom is delivered into the wound, where toxins inhibit blood clotting and lower blood pressure. The dragon often bites once and lets go; its prey — even a water buffalo — then bleeds, weakens, and goes into shock over hours before the dragon closes in.

The wound won’t clot, so the animal slowly bleeds out.

This pairing of serrated teeth and anticoagulant venom lets a single dragon bring down animals far larger than itself. Bites on humans are rare, but the same blood-thinning effect makes them medically serious.

3 m
max length
150+ kg
max weight

Sources & references

2 references

Well-established. Corroborated by 2 independent sources.

1 Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute institution “Researchers have also documented a venom gland in the dragon's lower jaw. This venom prevents their prey's blood from clotting, which causes massive blood loss and induces shock.” nationalzoo.si.edu ↗
2 Encyclopædia Britannica Encyclopedia “The world's largest living lizard species... grows to 3 meters (10 feet) in length... a venomous bite containing toxins that inhibit blood clotting, so that victims go into shock from rapid blood loss.” britannica.com ↗
✓ Last reviewed Jun 6, 2026

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