The serrated teeth of the Komodo holds pieces of meat from previous meals making it mouth a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, the mouth of a Komodo contains over 50 strains of bacteria, some of which are septic. While the Komodo bite is not deadly to another Komodo, a single bite from a Komodo dragon will cause blood poisoning, and the victim will be dead within the week. The toxicity of this bacteria is being challenged by researchers. In 2009, Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland discovered that the Komodo “has venom glands, which are loaded with toxins that lower blood pressure, cause massive bleeding, prevent clotting and induce shock” (Yong, 2013). The venom interferes with the prey’s healing mechanism following an attack. The reptile’s keen sense of smell then helps it to locate its
The serrated teeth of the Komodo holds pieces of meat from previous meals making it mouth a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, the mouth of a Komodo contains over 50 strains of bacteria, some of which are septic. While the Komodo bite is not deadly to another Komodo, a single bite from a Komodo dragon will cause blood poisoning, and the victim will be dead within the week. The toxicity of this bacteria is being challenged by researchers. In 2009, Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland discovered that the Komodo “has venom glands, which are loaded with toxins that lower blood pressure, cause massive bleeding, prevent clotting and induce shock” (Yong, 2013). The venom interferes with the prey’s healing mechanism following an attack. The reptile’s keen sense of smell then helps it to locate its