Venom is Komodo dragon's lethal weapon

[pgrommesh]

I saw one of these guys at the zoo, the placard certainly didn't tell me this info! Lots of zoos will have to update their infos.

 

[Brooklynella]

I find it difficult to believe that nobody noticed venom glands...until now.
I don't buy it. Plus, nobody ever thought to test the Komodo's saliva against the HUGE data base of known reptile venoms?

Maybe i'm cynical but I don't buy it.

 

[coura]

Soo... here's an interesting thought considering all the hubub about "dangerous exotics" and all that.
Suppose they discover that many many more of these reptiles have similar "venom glands" however weak the venom actually is, said animals could still be considered "venomous" under various laws and restrictions. Just some food for thought there.

People kill more people each day then one year of big animals combined, we are the only dangerous exotic

 

[james_unknown]

i thought the onl venom produceing lizard was the gila monster

 

[coura]

i thought the onl venom produceing lizard was the gila monster

And beaded lizards

 

[krichardson]

And beaded lizards

And now Komodo Dragons.

 

[Fishcrunch]

I agree with Brookly, we just NOW noticed that these large creatures have venom glands??? nobody has come up with the idea that maybe we should dissect one and find out more about its anatomy?

 

[Bsixxx]

would these little black dots toward the back of it's mouth be the venom glands? And also those big bulges on the gumb line at the top where the protrude out a little, be them as well?
-Also I agree how the heck did noone ever see this before now?

 

[coura]

As far as I know no, the venon glands are in the lower jaw and the venon flows in tiny canals to the base of the teeth. Its released when something presses the teeth and gums