Dinosaurs were the largest and most dangerous reptiles to ever roam the planet. Velociraptors were not especially large dinosaurs, but they were still deadly. These days, Komodo dragons are among the scariest reptiles in the world. We’re going to see what would happen in a hypothetical fight between the two. Discover whether the reptilian from the past or present survives this Komodo dragon vs velociraptor fight!
Comparing a Komodo Dragon and a Velociraptor
| Komodo Dragon | Velociraptor | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: from 170 to 200 pounds or more Length: 6 to 10 feet Height: 1.5 to 2 feet | Weight: between 20 and 50 pounds, possibly up to 100 Length: 4.5 to 6.5 feet Height: 1.5 to 2 feet tall |
| Speed | – 11 to 13 mph in short burst | – Between 10 to 25 mph |
| Defenses | – Has a large body with tough skin reinforced with osteoderms – Can keep animals from attacking from its rear with its tail | – Speed may have been a factor in keeping the dinosaur safe – Scientists believe they had good hearing, helping them locate other animals |
| Offensive Capabilities | – Have 60 sharp, curved teeth that they use to deliver deadly bites – They prefer to hold and tear at their prey due to their lack of a powerful bite force – Uses an anti-coagulant venom to weaken its prey and induce shock in prey – Has sharp, long claws to do more damage to prey | – Had 28 sharp teeth with serrated back edges, perfect for biting off chunks of meat – Strong legs and feet with a 3-inch claw on one toe, helping them pin and kill prey |
| Predatory Behavior | – Opportunist and ambush predator | – Pursuit predators that would run after and attack prey, pinning them to the ground and gripping them with their massive claw – Lone hunters |
What Are 3 Key Differences Between a Komodo Dragon and a Velociraptor?
We’re still learning about the dinosaur’s appearance, including the existence of its feathered body.
©kamomeen/Shutterstock.com
The main differences between a Komodo dragon and a velociraptor are found in their morphology, size, and predatory methods. The Komodo dragon is a large quadrupedal reptile weighing between 170 and 200 pounds and measuring up to 10 feet long while the velociraptor was a bipedal, feathered reptile that weighed between 20 and 50 pounds and measured up to 6.5 feet long.
The Komodo dragon is an ambush predator and an opportunist when hunting for food. However, the velociraptor was a lone pursuit predator that would pin its prey to the ground and keep it gripped there with its long claws while delivering vicious bites.
These unique qualities will have a major impact on the outcome of the fight.
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Komodo Dragon and a Velociraptor?
Komodo dragons can kill large creatures, including human.
©iStock.com/kiwisoul
Despite being a hypothetical fight across the ages, the major factors in a fight between a Komodo dragon and a velociraptor are the same as all the others in the animal kingdom. The fight will come down to the animals’ size, speed, defenses, fighting capabilities, and predatory skills. This section will compare the animals in each of these respects, determine which of the two creatures has the advantage, and then use all that data to decide the winner.
Komodo Dragon vs Velociraptor: Size
The velociraptor was not as large as the movies make it seem. On average, these dinosaurs weighed in at 20 to 50 pounds, but the largest remains ever found suggest that they could have weighed about 100 pounds. The dinosaur stood up to 1.5 feet to 2 feet tall and grew between 4.5 and 6.5 feet long.
Meanwhile, Komodo dragons are very large reptiles that can weigh as much as 200 pounds, stand about 2 feet tall, and grow up to 10 feet long.
The Komodo dragon has a size advantage in this bout.
Komodo Dragon vs Velociraptor: Speed
The velociraptor may not have been as large as its movie counterpart, but it could still move around somewhat quickly. At least, that’s what fossil evidence suggests about these dinosaurs. Scientists estimate these dinosaurs could reach top speeds of 10 to 25 mph.
Komodo dragons are not quite as fast, only moving at speeds of 11 to 13 mph when they’re actively pursuing their prey.
Velociraptors have the speed advantage in this fight, but we don’t quite know by how much with any certainty.
Komodo Dragon vs Velociraptor: Defenses
The average velociraptor had a good sense of hearing that they used to help them locate other creatures in their area. They would have used this sense to stay safe. Also, velociraptors had a bit of speed for their size, so that may have helped them outrun some other dangerous predators. They were not pack hunters, so they did not have the benefit of multiple members of their species to stay safe.
Meanwhile, Komodo dragons have fairly large bodies, tough skin, and the ability to use their tails to help them fend off attacks from their rears. They also have a powerful sense of smell to help them identify prey, and that can help them avoid animals in their territory, not that there is anything they need to avoid as apex predators.
Komodo dragons have advantage in defenses in this bout.
Komodo Dragon vs Velociraptor: Offensive Capabilities
The average velociraptor had a pretty good toolkit for fighting. They had 28 very sharp teeth with serrated edges on the backside that helped them tear flesh from their prey. These dinosaurs had a strong bite force that they would use to kill their prey after pinning them to the ground. Velociraptors would use their strong legs, feet, and a single 3-inch-long claw on each foot to pin and possibly exsanguinate their prey as they bit into them.
Komodo dragons are also very deadly reptiles. They have 60 sharp, curved teeth that help them inflict deadly bites on their prey. They tend to pin their prey, holding and tearing their prey with their teeth because they do not have an exceptionally powerful bite force. These animals also have a type of anti-coagulant venom that makes their prey bleed from their wounds, inducing shock and limiting their ability to fight back.
Komodo dragons have the advantage in terms of offensive capabilities, using their deadly bite and large size to kill fairly large prey.
Komodo Dragon vs Velociraptor: Predatory Behavior
The velociraptor was a solo hunter that would pursue prey and pin them to the ground with their powerful feet and claws. Scientists believe that they hunted similarly to a modern-day eagle, without the ability to fly.
Komodo dragons are opportunists and ambush predators, getting close to their prey before running them down with a fast attack. From there, they inflict bloody wounds on their prey, brutally dispatching them.
The velociraptor had a more specialized approach to preying on other animals, so we’re giving it the edge in this facet of the fight.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Komodo Dragon and a Velociraptor?
The Komodo dragon would turn the velociraptor into a quick lunch.
©Yudi S/Shutterstock.com
A Komodo dragon would win a fight against a velociraptor. While it is tempting to award the win to the dinosaur, it’s simply not large enough to kill a Komodo dragon. The modern-day reptile is large, thickly built, and powerful. The average velociraptor was about the size of a large turkey. The largest velociraptors may have weighed 100 pounds, half the maximum weight of a Komodo dragon.
The velociraptor would use its speed to try to pin the Komodo dragon’s head or neck to deliver a series of killer bites. However, the Komodo dragon is too strong and violent, and its bites would quickly dispatch the dinosaur.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/photomaru
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