1. Stalking: Komodo dragons are opportunistic hunters and rely on stealth to catch their prey. They patiently stalk their target, blending in with their surroundings and moving slowly and deliberately.
2. Ambush: Komodo dragons often lie in wait, hidden among vegetation or inside burrows, until they spot unsuspecting prey within striking distance.
3. Rapid Strike: Once they have chosen a target, they launch a rapid and powerful attack. Komodo dragons can reach speeds of up to 18 miles per hour (29 kilometers per hour) over short distances.
Hunting Techniques:
1. Bite and Hold: Komodo dragons have powerful jaws and rows of sharp, serrated teeth. They grab hold of their prey and clamp down, securing a strong grip that is difficult for the victim to escape.
2. Envenomation: Komodo dragons have a unique venom gland located in their lower jaws. When they bite their prey, they also inject a potent venom that contains a mix of toxins, including anticoagulants, vasodilators, and neurotoxins.
3. Waiting Game: After biting their prey, Komodo dragons may release their grip and follow their victim as the venom takes effect. The venom causes the prey's blood pressure to drop, weakens their muscles, and leads to shock.
4. Opportunistic Feeding: Komodo dragons are not always successful hunters, and they may also scavenge on dead or dying animals. They have a keen sense of smell and can detect carrion from a great distance.
It is important to note that Komodo dragons are apex predators in their ecosystem, and they play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of various herbivores and scavengers. However, they are also considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting.