Secrets of 'dragon' bite revealed
The Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, has a snake-like venom in its bite which sends victims into shock and stops their blood from clotting, Australian research has shown.
It has been previously believed by scientists that bacteria in the carnivorous lizard's mouth helped kill its prey.
But researchers using magnetic resonance imagery uncovered venom glands containing a shock-inducing poison which is said to increase blood flow and decrease blood pressure.Bryan Fry, the lead researcher from the University of Melbourne, said on Tuesday that computer imaging showed it used a "grip and rip" pulling manoeuvre to tear deep wounds, similar to a shark.
Fry surgically removed a venom gland from a terminally ill Komodo at Singapore Zoo for the study, and said it contained a toxic poison which would induce strong stomach cramps, hypothermia and a drop in blood pressure.
The Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, has a snake-like venom in its bite which sends victims into shock and stops their blood from clotting, Australian research has shown.
It has been previously believed by scientists that bacteria in the carnivorous lizard's mouth helped kill its prey.
But researchers using magnetic resonance imagery uncovered venom glands containing a shock-inducing poison which is said to increase blood flow and decrease blood pressure.Bryan Fry, the lead researcher from the University of Melbourne, said on Tuesday that computer imaging showed it used a "grip and rip" pulling manoeuvre to tear deep wounds, similar to a shark.
Fry surgically removed a venom gland from a terminally ill Komodo at Singapore Zoo for the study, and said it contained a toxic poison which would induce strong stomach cramps, hypothermia and a drop in blood pressure.
He also said the venom also blocked the ability for blood to clot."Such a fall in blood pressure would be debilitating in conjunction with blood loss and would render the envenomed prey unable to escape," Fry told the AFP news agency.
"These results are congruent with the observed unusual quietness and apparent rapid shock of prey items."
Komodos are the world's heaviest lizard, weighing at around 100kg and growing up to three metres in length.
They are native to several Indonesian islands and are considered a vulnerable species, with only a few thousand left in the world.They live on a diet of large mammals, reptiles and birds but have been known to attack humans.
"These results are congruent with the observed unusual quietness and apparent rapid shock of prey items."
Komodos are the world's heaviest lizard, weighing at around 100kg and growing up to three metres in length.
They are native to several Indonesian islands and are considered a vulnerable species, with only a few thousand left in the world.They live on a diet of large mammals, reptiles and birds but have been known to attack humans.
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