by Kim Sharpe

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: December 13, 2008

For the few people in this world who are lucky enough to view a Komodo Dragon they are normally awestuck. It is like staring at a prehistoric dinosaur or a dragon that once roamed the King Arthur days. The Komodo is truly an impressive beast. They are the largest lizard alive at a whopping 10 feet in length and weighing in at a staggering 150 to 300 pounds. A bite from the deadly jaws of the Dragon is deadly. Their mouths are alive and swarming with pathogenic bacteria. Once the unlucky victim is bitten with a ferocious bite their systems are flooded with these deadly bacteria. So if the bite does not kill the prey it will soon die from the toxins.

The Komodo Dragons mouth is a literal breeding and living ground for many multi colony bacteria. There are up to eighty various strains of bacteria that live within its mouth. All of the various bacteria colonies actually communicate with each other in order to build a deadly biofilm throughout the dragons mouth which will help and aid the bacteria in its growth and habitation.

Despite the fact that the Komodo mouth is a swarming mass of toxic bacteria that will kill virtually anything it is immune to its deadly mouth. Through many generations the Komodo has evolved antibodies which make it immune to the deadly toxins that reside in its own mouth. However, the unlucky prey that has a bite bestowed upon it is dead within fives days. So the Komodo is used to hunting at leisure by biting its prey and then waiting for its eventual death as it stalks it silently.

The main bacteria which renders death in the Komodo prey is the Pasteurella Multocida. This deadly bacteria was named after Louis Pasteur who was the first to discover its existence. It works together with P. aeruginosa to cause havoc on the preys vital organs and immune system. The result is a very nasty death and, ultimately, a feast for the Komodo Dragon.

Komodo Dragons can be found on the islands of Indonesia. These islands tend to be hot and dry which is preferred by the Komodo. They flourish on the Savannah's and grasslands of the region. In these area's they dig large holes for shelter and to sleep within. In these wonderfully large burrows the Komodo sleeps during the night in order to stay warm.

They tend to enjoy hunting in the afternoon heat. When it comes to prey they are not particular. They will readily consume any animal that offers red meat. When it comes to eating the Komodo tears very large pieces from its prey which it washes down with the red saliva

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