The Komodo dragon is the closest thing on Earth to a living dragon — a 10-foot lizard that hunts deer, buffalo, and occasionally each other.
Here are the verified facts.
Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards, reaching about 10 feet (3 m) long and 150-200 pounds (70-90 kg).
They live only on a handful of Indonesian islands, including Komodo, Rinca, and Flores.
Komodo dragons have venom glands that release toxins lowering blood pressure and preventing clotting, in addition to their bacteria-laden, serrated bite.
They can detect carrion from up to several miles away using a forked tongue and a scent organ, much like snakes.
A Komodo dragon can eat up to about 80% of its body weight in a single meal.
They can sprint in short bursts up to roughly 12-13 mph (20 km/h).
Female Komodo dragons can reproduce without a male through parthenogenesis (a form of virgin birth), producing all-male offspring.
Young Komodo dragons spend their first years in trees to avoid being eaten by adults, which are cannibalistic.
Their serrated, curved teeth are replaced continually throughout life, like a shark's.
Komodo dragons have a mild immunity to their own species' venom and bacteria.
They are apex predators on their islands, hunting deer, wild boar, water buffalo, and smaller dragons.
Komodo dragons were unknown to Western science until 1910, and their 'dragon' reputation helped inspire the film King Kong.
They can live around 30 years in the wild.
Komodo dragons are classified as endangered, with roughly 3,000-3,500 left, threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
Despite their bulk, they're strong swimmers and can move between islands.
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