Komodo Dragon: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Five facts

1. Male Komodo dragons can reach 3 m and 150 kg, making them the largest living lizard.
2. With a helpful wind, a Komodo dragon may smell dead animals from 4 to 9.5 km away, using its flicking tongue.
3. Komodo dragons renew their teeth every 40 days, with up to five spares behind each one.
4. A little tube under its tongue leads to its lungs, so a Komodo dragon can keep breathing while it swallows.
5. Young dragons live in trees to stay safe from adults that might eat them. They even roll in droppings to put adults off.

The quiz

1. What record does the Komodo dragon hold?

• Largest living lizard (correct)
• Fastest lizard
• Longest-lived reptile
• Loudest reptile

It is the biggest living lizard: males reach 3 m and 150 kg.

2. From how far can a Komodo dragon smell dead meat?

• 95 m
• 950 m
• 9.5 km (correct)
• 95 km

With a favourable wind, it may detect carrion up to 9.5 km away.

3. How often does a Komodo dragon renew its teeth?

• Every 4 days
• Every 40 days (correct)
• Every 4 months
• Once a year

Teeth are renewed every 40 days.

4. What lets a Komodo dragon breathe while swallowing?

• A hole in its neck
• A tube under its tongue (correct)
• Gills
• Its nostrils only

A small tube under the tongue connects to the lungs.

5. Where do young Komodo dragons live to stay safe?

• In burrows
• In trees (correct)
• In caves
• In water

They dwell in trees to avoid cannibalistic adults.

More about the Komodo Dragon

All lessons

Nature documentaries