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Some herpetologists note that the physical trauma of the bite and the introduction of bacteria from the Komodo dragon’s mouth to the wound also play roles in slowing and killing prey. It is thought that their victims go into shock from rapid blood loss. They seldom need to capture live prey directly, since their venomous bite delivers toxins that inhibit blood clotting. Carrion, however, is their main diet item, although they commonly wait along game trails to ambush pigs, deer, and cattle. They can run swiftly and occasionally attack and kill human beings.
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Adult Komodo dragons eat smaller members of their own species and sometimes even other adults. The newly hatched young, about 45 cm (18 inches) long, live in trees for several months. It digs a burrow as deep as 9 metres (29.5 feet) and lays eggs that hatch in April or May. Although most young are produced through sexual reproduction, females that are isolated from males sometimes produce offspring through parthenogenesis. The lizard grows to 3 metres (10 feet) in total length and attains a weight of about 135 kg (about 300 pounds). Study dangerous turtles and lizards such as Gila monsters, crocodile monitors, and Komodo dragons See all videos for this article
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