# What Do Komodo Dragons Eat?

> What komodo dragons eat: Carnivore, foraging style, and seasonal shifts in Tropical savanna and forest on Indonesian islands.

- **Species:** Komodo Dragon (*Varanus komodoensis*)
- **Conservation status:** Endangered
- **Diet:** Carnivore
- **Habitat:** Tropical savanna and forest on Indonesian islands
- **Lifespan:** ~30 years
- **Top speed:** 20 km/h (12 mph) in short bursts
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/komodo-dragon/what-do-komodo-dragon-eat/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/komodo-dragon/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard, growing up to 3 m (10 ft) long and 90 kg (200 lb). Found only on a handful of Indonesian islands, it is a powerful ambush predator with serrated teeth and venom that lowers a victim's blood pressure. It can take prey as large as deer and water buffalo. Komodo dragons can live around 30 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a captive feeding plan from a veterinarian. This page is wild diet, not a pet-care sheet.

## Behavior and hunting

Komodo dragons are ambush hunters that lie in wait and rush prey with a sudden burst of speed. They use serrated teeth to deliver deep wounds, and venom glands that release toxins which prevent clotting and lower blood pressure, weakening prey that escapes the initial attack. They have an excellent sense of smell, using their forked tongue to detect carrion from kilometers away.

## Help protect the Komodo Dragon

The komodo dragon is listed as Endangered, with habitat loss the leading threat to its future.

[Donate to protect habitat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/habitats/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/komodo-dragon/what-do-komodo-dragon-eat/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.