The moment a Komodo dragon appears to be biting the head of another in its group has shocked many.
A Komodo dragon appears to be biting the head of another. (Photo: Andrey Gudkov).
The Komodo dragon (scientific name: Varanus komodoensis) is a particularly large lizard species that can only be found on a few islands in Indonesia. They are known for their aggressiveness and voracious appetite, capable of swallowing prey whole if necessary.
In some cases, Komodo dragons can even eat smaller members of their own species when their hunger reaches a peak.
A photograph captured by 44-year-old photographer Andrey Gudkov showcases a moment when a Komodo dragon appears to be biting the head of another, leaving viewers astonished.
However, the truth behind this image may surprise you.
According to Gudkov, the smaller Komodo dragon is not a victim but is actually trying to stick its head and mouth into its “friend’s” mouth to snatch up scraps of meat from a deer that they had previously torn apart.
Three Komodo dragons fighting over pieces of meat from a deer they had previously taken down. (Photo: Andrey Gudkov).
However, this behavior is considered extremely dangerous, as Komodo dragons, as mentioned, are aggressive creatures and may readily attack each other during disputes over territory or food.
Fortunately for the hungry Komodo dragon, its “friend” seems to be in a rather relaxed mood and does not want to escalate the situation further.
Scientific documents suggest that Komodo dragons possess venom in the form of proteins, secreted from two glands in their lower jaws. Furthermore, even their saliva contains up to 50 different types of bacteria.
Typically, just one bite from this species can cause its prey to become poisoned and die before being fully consumed. However, Komodo dragons themselves are immune to the toxins they produce.
Komodo dragons are opportunistic feeders, capable of eating up to 80% of their body weight in a single meal. After eating, they often drag themselves to a sunny spot to speed up digestion. This is essential because the food in their stomach can rot and lead to poisoning if left too long.
Unfortunately, due to their voracious nature combined with a shrinking habitat, the once abundant population of thousands of Komodo dragons is now at risk of extinction.
