Komodo dragons are carnivores, feasting on a diet of deer, pigs, and even water buffalo. They are opportunistic hunters and can consume up to 80% of their body weight in one meal.
Their saliva is teeming with bacteria, which helps in breaking down the food they consume. Despite their slow metabolism, they can go weeks without eating after a large meal.
Komodo dragons have a keen sense of smell to detect carrion from miles away. They are known to scavenge on carcasses and are skilled at hunting prey both alone and in groups.
These apex predators have a powerful bite force and sharp serrated teeth to tear through flesh. They ambush their prey and deliver a lethal bite, often waiting for it to succumb to infection before feeding.
While their diet mainly consists of meat, they occasionally consume smaller prey like birds, eggs, and insects. Juveniles start with a diet of insects before progressing to larger animals as they grow.
Observing the diet of Komodo dragons provides insight into their role as top predators in their ecosystem. Their hunting strategies and feeding habits contribute to the balance of the food chain in their habitat.