For years, scientists had the wrong idea about the komodo dragon, the world’s largest reptile (averaging 10 feet long), native to Indonesia. They were convinced that it was fast-acting bacteria in the lizard’s mouth that helped kill its victims (along with its crushing jaws). But recent work by an Australian researcher has shown that a toxic venom is to blame.
The poison causes stomach cramps and hypothermia. Even worse, it can prevent blood from clotting and cause a drop in blood pressure. Combined with blood loss (from the bites), that’s deadly.
(Source: Agence France-Presse)
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