Watch an Unfazed Komodo Dragon Calmly Devour an Entire Monkey in One Bite

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Written by Angie Menjivar

Updated: November 10, 2023

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Komodo Dragon Charging
© iStock.com/kiwisoul

Being that monkeys are so closely related to our own species, it can be disturbing to watch a monkey suffer through an attack only to be devoured by a huge, merciless Komodo dragon. You have a fair warning that the first moments of the video at the bottom of this page are difficult to watch (and listen to). However, nature makes no apologies, and if you watch all the way through, you get to witness how easy it is for a Komodo dragon to swallow its prey whole.

What Are the Characteristics of Primates?

Primates include monkeys, apes, and humans, among others, and they share several characteristics. They fall under the category of mammal, but they’re distinguished by their five-digit hands and their flat nails (in lieu of claws). Primates also partake in complex social groups and generally have a poor sense of smell, with vision being significantly keener.

Capuchin monkey in a tree

Primates include monkeys, apes, and humans, among others

©Edwin Butter/Shutterstock.com

Monkeys are found throughout the world, mostly in tropical areas. Old World monkeys are found in Africa and Asia, while New World monkeys mostly call Central and South America home. They don’t have tons of offspring; usually, it’s one at a time, and they grow more slowly to enjoy longer life spans.

Most monkeys are omnivores, but because of their size, the majority of monkeys get their “meat” from insects or grubs. Larger monkeys will eat larger prey, such as lizards or bird eggs.

Animal, Animal Wildlife, Cold Blooded, Color Image, Dragon

The larger Komodo dragons get, the more powerful they get and the bigger prey they go after.

©iStock.com/desertsolitaire

What Do Komodo Dragons Eat?

Komodo dragons feast on a variety of food sources. When they’re still young (under five years old), they may go for insects, birds, and lizards. However, the larger they get, the more powerful they get and the bigger prey they go after.

Komodo dragons have the ability to attack prey much larger than them. Even if unsuccessful upon ambush, they will follow the injured prey for miles, waiting until it dies from sepsis caused by deadly bacteria in the reptile’s mouth. They may go for deer and wild boars as well as goats and monkeys. These incredibly strong creatures may even go after their own.

To eat, they use their teeth to tear chunks of flesh from their prey, or they use their strong legs to suffocate the animal.

Komodo dragon hunting

A Komodo dragon hunts its prey.

©Sergey Uryadnikov/Shutterstock.com

Ruthless Komodo Dragon Swallows Monkey Whole

The video below starts as a giant Komodo dragon walks straight for the camera on the ground, knocking it over. From this perspective, you can appreciate the size of this lizard and its distinctive walk. It swings its legs around its body as it takes each step. In the next scene, the Komodo has its jaws snapped shut on a monkey’s neck. The monkey squeals, unsuccessfully using its hands and feet against the Komodo’s head, trying to defend itself.

The Komodo drags it on the ground back and forth for several moments until you hear a crunch. It bends the monkey’s head back, and you watch it go limp as life leaves its body. The squealing stops. The next scene shows the Komodo eating the monkey whole, with only its legs sticking out of its giant mouth. There’s blood on its chin as it takes the monkey in its mouth with big bites – eventually, only the tail sticks out of its mouth. With each bite down, you watch as its incredibly strong neck muscles contract, pushing the meal down into its stomach.

Is It Normal for Komodo Dragons to Eat Their Food Whole?

Komodo dragon eat

The fierce Komodo dragon will eat almost any type of meat.

©Sergey Uryadnikov/Shutterstock.com

Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world and have been known to eat animals as large as water buffalo. They are deadly predators that have incredibly effective hunting techniques.

Komodo dragons typically ambush their prey, pouncing on them with their sharp claws and teeth. They will then bite them and deliver venom that paralyzes their victim. This allows the Komodo dragon to then consume the animal without much of a struggle.

When it comes to consuming their prey, it is abnormal for Komodo dragons to consume large foods (like a monkey) whole. They have an incredibly powerful bite and can break down large prey. They normally hold their food with their powerful claws and tear it into pieces. If the prey is small enough, they will swallow it whole.

Komodo dragons also use their sense of smell to locate their prey. They have an excellent sense of smell and can detect prey from miles away. This allows them to hunt effectively and quickly.

Komodo dragons are incredibly effective hunters and have adapted to their environment over thousands of years. They have an impressive arsenal of hunting techniques that make them highly effective predators.

Komodo Dragons: Size at Various Stages of Life

Komodo dragons eat their prey. Indonesia. Komodo National Park. An excellent illustration.

A very large Komodo dragon can be over 10 feet long!

©GUDKOV ANDREY/Shutterstock.com

Komodo dragons are the world’s largest lizards, and their size varies depending on the stage of life they are in. When they are born, Komodo dragons typically measure around 8-10 inches in length and weigh about 2-3 ounces. As juveniles, they can grow to lengths of 2-3 feet and weigh up to 5-10 pounds.

By adulthood, Komodo dragons can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and can weigh up to 200 pounds. In some cases, Komodo dragons have been recorded as long as 10 feet 6 inches and weighing up to 366 pounds. Although individuals can vary significantly in size, Komodo dragons are generally heavier than other lizards of the same size.

In addition to their impressive size, Komodo dragons also have a powerful bite. Adults can exert a bite strength of up to 3000 Newtons, making them one of the strongest predators on the planet. Komodo dragons are also the heaviest of all living lizards and can run up to 12 miles per hour.

Komodo dragons are an impressive species, and their size at various stages of life is a testament to their incredible strength and power.


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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