In a Fight Between both these amazing species – Who Would Win?
Komodo Dragons
Both Crocodiles and Komodo Dragons have histories that go back over 40 million years. Komodo Dragons started with the genus Varanus which originated in Asia and eventually migrated to Australia. They have evolved into very large mammals while the largest Megalania has recently become extinct. These carnivorans live on just about every major landmass in a wide range of habitats.
The Komodo Dragon is a lizard found on several islands, particularly the island of Komodo, located in Indonesia. They are a member of the Monitor Lizard family and are considered the largest, heaviest lizards in the world and only one of a few with venomous bites.
Crocodiles
These animals eventually become known as crocodiles can be traced back to the Jurassic period and have lived over 200 million years. The aquatic crocodiles were known as Thalattosuchia around 200 million years ago. The crocodiles we have come to know today have been here for 85 million years. They have lived in a wide range of regions including Asia, India, and Australia.
Crocodile Descriptions
Often called Salties, they have a large, triangular head with teeth measuring up to 3.5 inches long (.8.8 cm). Crocodiles can grow as large as 23-feet but most are between 11 to 19 feet in length (3.3 – 5.8 meters) and the females are 6-feet (1.8 m). The males can weigh up to 2,000 lbs (900kg). Due to hunting, most crocodiles today are no larger than 19 feet. Because of their size and other traits, they are considered formidable predators.
Their streamlined bodies allow them to swim faster. They tuck their legs to their sides to swim much faster by decreasing the resistance of water. They are also equipped with web feet to help them turn around when walking.
Komodo Descriptions
Komodo Dragons come in a range of beautiful colors including orange, blue, gray, and green. Their skin is quite rough enforced with bony plates known as osteoderms. Osteoderms are deposits that form scales, or plates.
Komodo Dragons have amazing vision being able to see as far away as 900 feet (300 m). They have long claws along with a large very muscular tail.
They can run for a brief period of time up to 13 mph (20 kph) but choose to hunt by stealth. They can wait for hours for prey to cross their paths. They have approximately 60 frequently replaced serrated teeth that measure up to 2.5 centimeters or one inch in length.
Their teeth are covered by gingival tissue or gum tissue, that is usually scratched up during feeding, and their saliva is usually tinted with blood. If you have ever visited a zoo and seen a Komodo Dragon’s mouth open, you know they have very long, yellow, forked tongues.
Range & Habitats
The crocodile’s range covers a massive territory. They are found on the islands of Indonesia and New Guinea along with the northern coasts of Australia. They are also seen along the shores of Sri Lanka and eastern India. They live at the estuaries of Southeast Asia to central Vietnam. Saltwater crocodiles are found in Borneo, the Philippines, Palau, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands.
During the dry season, they will go to the open sea. During the wet season, they will move to freshwaters such as swamps and rivers.
Komodo Dragons are found on Komodo, Gili Dasami, Gili Montang, Rinca, and the Flores Island. They are known to have the smallest natural range of any large predator.
These lizards can live anywhere from tropical dry forests to savannas or a brief period of time in monsoon forests. Wherever they choose to live, they want extreme heat. You will find them in Indonesia due to the climate that’s around 95°F or 35°C with 70% humidity on the islands of Indonesia.
Their Diet
Crocodiles will wait patiently by the water’s edge for prey. They feed on anything they can get their jaws around including monkeys, wild boars, water buffalo, and even human beings. They literally explode from the water by thrashing their enormous, powerful tails, grabbing the victim, then dragging them back into the water to drown.
Komodo Dragons are fierce hunters, they can prey on larger animals including deer, carrion, pigs, and even smaller dragons. They can eat 80% of their body weight in one feeding.
Should the prey escape, it will die within 24 hours because the dragon’s saliva has 50 strains of bacteria.
Their Behaviors
The saltwater crocodile is considered one of the most intelligent reptiles anywhere. They bark in order to communicate with other crocodiles. They are also highly protective of their territory and do not want other crocodiles in their space.
The females are also very territorial, protecting their nests from other crocodiles or any other creature. The males will share their territory with females but not other males.
Crocodiles spend most of their time using thermoregulation. This is the act mammals use to maintain their body temperature which is completely independent of external temperatures. In turn, this is how they preserve their internal temperature in order to survive. They are also known to lay down on flat rocks soaked by the sun until they are warm.
Komodo Dragons are usually active during the daylight hours but have often shown signs of nocturnal behavior. These lizards are solitary and only come together for breeding or eating.
Due to their massive size, Komodo Dragons can conserve body heat by sleeping in their burrows which reduces the need to bask in the morning sun. They are usually hunting in the afternoon and stay in the shade during the hottest times of the day.
Back To The Initial Question – Who would Win The Fight, The Crocodile Or The Komodo?
Unfortunately for the Komodo Dragon, the crocodile is the most dangerous predator on planet earth. Although Komodo Dragons are very large for lizards, the saltwater crocodile can weigh up to one ton or more which is six times the weight of a dragon. If caught in the scope of a crocodile, the dragon would be helpless and not stand a chance.
Crocodiles are extremely fast and Komodo dragons are not. In short, the dragon would be caught and dragged into the water to drown.