This Uninvited Guest Trashed a Hotel Room Before Being Escorted Out

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After a long day of filming Komodo dragons in the wild, one unlucky cameraman nearly had to share a hotel room with one. Even worse, the massive, venomous lizard wouldn’t get out of the bathroom. In the BBC Earth Explore video above, the crew got the bright idea to lure the dragon outside with a favorite snack of decaying meat.

However, instead of being appreciative of an easy meal, the ungrateful guest decided to poop on the floor on its way out. The dragon could have at least done its business while it was hanging out in the bathroom. Although this Komodo dragon’s manners leave something to be desired, no doubt you can do as you please when you’re the biggest and most dangerous lizard on the planet.

The Lizard King

Researchers believe there are over 7,000 lizard species. The Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is part of the monitor family. They can grow as long as ten feet and weigh upwards of 300 pounds, making them the largest lizards in the world. Adult Komodo dragons have large, protective scales and forked yellow tongues. Their heads, bodies, and tails slowly undulate from side to side when they walk. They may look slow, but they can briefly run as fast as 13 mph.

Komodo dragons mate once a year. Females bury up to 30 eggs, which will hatch in around eight months. The female dragons have both male and female chromosomes. So even if there are no males in the area, they can reproduce by themselves through a process called parthenogenesis. In the wild, male dragons live between 30 and 40 years, but females typically only live around 20 years.

Komodo Dragon Habitats

Komodo dragons are only found on the islands of the Lesser Sunda in southeastern Indonesia. Dragons prefer the hot, humid conditions of the tropical forests, but they may wander the islands in search of food or mates. However, they rarely stray far from the valley where they hatched.

Young Komodo dragons live in the trees so bigger dragons can’t reach them. When they are around five years old, they move to the ground as they are usually large enough to protect themselves. Adult dragons sometimes dig burrows for shelter in the hottest part of the day or to sleep in at night. These burrows can often be seen along the sides of dry riverbeds.

How Dangerous Are Komodo Dragons?

They may not breathe fire, but Komodo dragons are dangerous enough without it. Dragons will camouflage themselves along game trails, waiting for hours to attack prey like deer and wild boar. They bite down with their curved, serrated teeth and use their strong neck muscles to rip apart the flesh of their prey.

Even if the victim is fortunate enough to escape, they will almost certainly die later from their wounds. Komodo dragon saliva contains at least 50 types of bacteria, seven of which are highly septic. Dragons also have venom glands in their lower jaw. Their venom causes massive blood loss, sending their victim into shock. Even if it takes their victim several days to die, Komodo dragons also eat carrion or rotting animal flesh. They have a powerful sense of smell, enabling them to pick up the scent of the carcass over 2.5 miles away.

Conflict with Humans

Adult dragons only have two predators — other Komodo dragons and humans. Komodo dragons are considered Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. Habitat loss, poaching, human encroachment, and overhunting of prey animals are just a few of the threats they face. The Indonesian Government established Komodo National Park in 1980 to protect the dragons and their natural habitat.

Attacks on humans are extremely rare, but they can be fatal. As humans encroach on Komodo dragon territory, the greater the likelihood of conflict. However, as dragons almost never leave home and they avoid people, human living spaces have no appeal. Although like most animals, they may attack if they feel threatened. If you ever find yourself in Indonesia, and you encounter a Komodo dragon in the wild, it’s best to give them their space.