3 Interesting Komodo Facts You Need to Know

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has so many endemic animals. One of them is the Komodo dragon. This large lizard with the Latin name Varanus komodoensis lives in East Nusa Tenggara, such as Rinca Island, Flores Island, Giliran Motang, Gili Dasami and Komodo Island.

Komodo has attracted the attention of a number of researchers because it has its own uniqueness compared to other animals.

Here are some interesting facts about Indonesia's Komodo dragons:

1. Ancient Animals That Still Survive in Modern Times

Komodo is one of the rare animal species protected in Indonesia. Komodo is thought to originate from an African lizard species from ancient times. Biologists Alison Murray and Rob Holmes said that the Komodo spine and the skeleton of an African lizard that is 33 million years old have similarities.

The researchers concluded that Komodo dragons are related to this type of animal. He also said that Komodo dragons only appeared 700,000 years ago. Murray said that the mystery of how Komodo dragons could spread to Asia is even deeper when we think about the geography of the world in the past.

"From 100 million years ago to 12 million years ago, Africa was completely isolated, surrounded by ocean, somehow they got out of Africa at that time," Murray said. "That's why this is so important, because there is no land connection between Africa and Indonesia."

Murray said one theory of how Varanus left Africa is that microplates or small land masses moved from one place to another, carrying the animals inside them. However, this theory has not been proven.

2. Has Deadly Venom

Komodo is the largest lizard in the world that has various deadly weapons in its body. Research by the University of Melbourne revealed that the venom contained in a gland in the Komodo's mouth contains pasteurella bacteria. When biting its opponent, the Komodo will cause a wound that is very susceptible to infection.

Quoted from the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Komodo saliva also has various other deadly bacteria, namely 28 gram-negative bacteria (escherichia coli) and 19 gram-positive bacteria (pathogens). Bacteria isolated in Komodo saliva cause septicemia, a serious inflammatory condition due to infection.

Most people who are bitten by Komodo dragons, both humans and animals, will get infection for one or two days and can even lead to death.

3. Teeth That Grew Back Within 3 Days

When preying, Komodo teeth are not only used for chewing, but also for swallowing their prey directly. If the prey is too hard to be devoured and gripped, the Komodo teeth will fall out. However, within three days the teeth will grow back.

SCIENCE DAILY | AMRI MAHBUB | RACHEL FARADIBAR

Editor's Choice: Temporary Closure Planned for Komodo National Park in 2025

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