Komodo Dragon's' Mouth Does Not Contain Toxic Bacteria, Researchers Say

The Komodo dragon isn't a filthy, bacteria laden creature, as people believe. It is a rather clean creature.

The latest study on Komodo dragons was conducted by researchers from University of Queensland who found that the much-feared creature is just a victim of bad PR.

It's a common belief that Komodo Dragons bite contains dangerous bacteria that infects its prey and leads to blood poisoning. The Komodo dragon then follows its wounded prey and waits till its dead. However, the study team found that the mouth of a Komodo dragon contains ordinary bacteria that can be found in other carnivores as well.

"Komodo dragons are actually very clean animals," Bryan Fry, Associate professor from The University of Queensland. "After they are done feeding, they will spend 10 to 15 minutes lip-licking and rubbing their head in the leaves to clean their mouth."

The inside of their mouth is kept clean by the tongue, he added. Also, there is no leftover flesh hanging from its mouth.

Researchers found that the water buffalo is responsible for promoting the myth that Komodo dragons are filthy creatures.

In the study, Fry and his team found that Komodo dragons easily hunt pigs and deer which die in about 30 minutes to 3 hours after the attack, usually from the venom in the Komodo dragon's mouth.

However, larger animals such as water buffalo get away with larger wounds. These animals then take refuge in dirty water that is filled with anerobic bacteria.

"It is when the water buffalo go stand in the toxic water with gaping wounds that they get infected," Professor Fry said in a news release.

Komodo dragons, however have certain bacteria that they pick up while drinking from a dirty watering hole. However, the levels of these bacteria aren't enough to infect an animal.

According to the researchers, water buffalos aren't native to the island where Komodo dragons live and so aren't used to the habitat.

"If water buffalo had never been introduced onto the islands, then this enchanting fairy tale never would have come into existence," he added. "The water buffalo are not living in their native habitat of large fresh marshes but rather on islands with the only water source being tiny water holes.

Fry and his team will be conducting further studies on the subject where they will analyze water samples from the region to see whether the bacteria present in the water causes infection.