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Komodo Dragons Use Venom to Kill

By Jess Kilby,  Newser User

Posted May 19, 2009 3:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Australian scientists have discovered that the world’s largest lizard packs a lethal venom in its bite, the Guardian reports. MRI scans of an ailing Komodo dragon revealed venom glands in the mouth that had never before been documented. The dragons’ poison sends victims into shock by triggering a sudden drop in blood pressure, and also prevents blood from clotting—causing the prey to bleed to death.

Komodo dragons, native to several Indonesian islands, can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 110 pounds.
Komodo dragons, native to several Indonesian islands, can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 110 pounds.   (©jonnyr1)
The discovery that the Komodo dragon is venomous leads researchers to believe many other lizards may also pack a poisonous punch.
The discovery that the Komodo dragon is venomous leads researchers to believe many other lizards may also pack a poisonous punch.   (©pareeerica)
The Komodo dragon joins the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard as the only lizards currently known to be venomous. Their poison is similar to that of a snake.
The Komodo dragon joins the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard as the only lizards currently known to be venomous. Their poison is similar to that of a snake.   (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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snake venom • poison • lizard • Komodo dragon

 
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