{"id":11107,"date":"2022-05-06T20:53:06","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T20:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11107"},"modified":"2023-05-02T03:56:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T08:56:46","slug":"komodo-dragon-vs-king-cobra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/komodo-dragon-vs-king-cobra\/","title":{"rendered":"Komodo Dragon Vs King Cobra: Side By Side"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of king cobras and komodo dragons\u2013they\u2019re some of the most dangerous reptiles in the world. Perhaps you\u2019re wondering about their similarities and differences, or you\u2019d like to know which one would win if they had to fight each other. Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll compare and contrast the komodo dragon vs. the king cobra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Komodo Dragon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Komodo Dragon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Komodo dragons<\/a> are the largest lizard species in the world. They can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 200 pounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Komodo dragons are apex predators, as they have no natural predators in their habitat. These endangered reptiles only live on a few small Indonesian islands, where they are the kinds in their native animal kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Komodo dragons eat nearly anything. They prefer carrion, but they are also impressive hunters; they will kill anything from pigs to water buffalo to juveniles of their own species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have an impressive bite force of about 600 pounds per square inch, but what really kills most of their hunting victims is the venom in their bite. It contains hemotoxic compounds that prevent the blood from clotting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Komodo dragons often bite their prey then let it run free; it will die from blood loss within a day or two. During that time, the komodo dragon will follow it around and eat it when it dies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These large lizards hunt by ambush, surprising their prey then overwhelming it with their strong bodies, legs, and tails. They tear large gashes in the prey animal with their sharp teeth, then their venom does the rest, causing the animal to bleed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Komodo dragons are usually dark greenish gray to black in color with light gray to yellow bellies. They walk low to the ground on stubby, powerful legs, and they are covered all over in thick, leather-like skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a King Cobra?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
King Cobra<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

King cobras<\/a> are found in parts of Africa and Asia. They are the longest venomous snakes in the world, growing up to 18 feet long and weighing as much as 20 pounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are known for being one of the most poisonous snakes in the world as well. Their neurotoxic venom quickly stops their victim\u2019s breathing and heartbeat; their bite can kill even humans within as little as 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

King cobras strike incredibly fast\u2013they can move as far as 10 feet in a single second. They usually strike more than once, as they have short fangs and they need to make sure to inject enough venom to kill their victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

King cobras mostly eat other snakes, including other poisonous snakes; for this reason, they are seen as beneficial to humans despite being poisonous themselves. They also eat small lizards and mammals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cobras are known for fighting with mongooses; in fact, they are sometimes killed by these tiny but fierce predators, though sometimes they are able to gain the upper hand and will kill and eat them instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all king cobras look the same; they may be green, yellow, black,or brown, and they may be solid colors or have patterns on their skin. One thing they all have in common, though, is their \u201cfighting stance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When cobras feel threatened or are getting ready to attack, they will raise their head and the top part of their body, flattening the neck muscles to create a \u201chood.\u201d This fierce-looking posture is a very aggressive action and is a sign to get away from the snake as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Komodo Dragon Vs. King Cobra: Similarities and Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, komodo dragons and king cobras are powerful, dangerous animals that are not to be messed with. Do they have any other similarities? What are some of their differences?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n