Komodo dragons kill with venom, not bacteria, study says

[Coventina]

Source: CNN

CNN) -- A new study dispels the widely accepted theory that the Komodo dragon kills by infecting its prey with toxic bacteria.

Instead, the world's largest lizard delivers a powerful bite with its serrated teeth and uses a powerful venom to bring down its victims.

Komodo dragons are native to the islands of Indonesia. They can weigh more than 220 pounds (100 kilograms) and grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length.

But their bites are not as strong as that of a crocodile, for example. And they cannot hold down their prey. So, researchers wondered, what lay behind the dragons' hunting success?



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/05/20/komodo.dragon.bite/?iref=hpmostpop

---

Fascinating! - In my Mr. Spock voice.

[groundloop]

1. Makes sense

That theory about a toxic stew of bacteria just didn't totally add up.

[NoodleyAppendage]

2. Hmmm...venom is an anti-coagulant and a blood pressure lowerer. Sounds like a promising medication.

Essentially Komodo dragons have Coumadin venom.

J

[surrealAmerican]

3. You're not going to find many people willing to collect ...

... this stuff.